Egypt heads to the final AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers window in Madagascar, seeking redemption after a narrow loss to Côte d'Ivoire. Led by coach Henrik Rödl, they aim to correct past mistakes and secure their 25th continental appearance.
Last Updated on
February 17, 2025
Antananarivo, Madagascar will become a basketball destination for three days from February 21-23 as four Group D teams go to battle for a chance to play in this year’s AfroBasket.
Egypt who hosted the Group matches in February last year are headed to the competition on a revenge mission, having been denied a clean run by Côte d'Ivoire, in Cairo in a 79-76 loss. Leading by seven points (72-65) with 4:46 to play, they allowed Côte d'Ivoire to go on a 12-0 scoring run and missed out on a chance to secure a clean slate in the first round.
Now 2-1 up, correcting their mistakes and trying to beat Côte d'Ivoire is a top priority for the North Africans, as is avoiding upsets against Madagascar and the Central African Republic as they chase a 25th appearance on the continental stage.
The former champions are coming off a great run at the Doha International Friendly Basketball Championship, being crowned champions for the second year in a row. The Henrik Rodl-led side finished ahead of Lebanon and the Philippines.
Coach Rodl is expected to rely on the experienced duo of Ehab Amin and Anas Mahmoud, the former making a return to the squad after missing out on the February 2024 window. Amin leads the backcourt while Mahmoud, the top rebounder from the first window for the North Africans takes care of the paint.
Egypt, however, goes to battle without the services of guard Amr El Gendy, who has been sidelined after sustaining a dislocation in the joint connecting the collarbone and shoulder. According to his club Al Ahly Sporting, El Gendy suffered the injury during the match against Gezira in the Egyptian Super League at the end of January and is expected to be sidelined for approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
Also missing on coach Rodl’s call-ups is Patrick Gardner who was crucial in their run in February. The 25-year-old averaged 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in last year’s qualifying window, finishing with a 17.3 efficiency rating, the best for the side.
In February 2024, Egypt did almost everything right against Cote D'Ivoire. They shot 12-for-23 from behind the arc, swatted away 10 Côte d'Ivoire shots, but their free-throw shooting proved to be their Achilles heel. They missed 11 of 25 from the charity stripe.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA, Egypt Federation]
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