Eight countries still have to qualify for the 25th edition of the FIBA Africa Championship for Men-Afrobasket competition slated for this August in Libya. So far, Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Cape Verde, Rwanda, defending champion Angola and hosts Libya have booked their slots in the coveted basketball show piece with eight more expected to qualify from the different zonal qualifier tournaments. The 2009 Afrobasket competition, which counts as the first major continental event to be held in Libya since its leader Muammar Al Gadhafi reconciled the country with the Western world will be staged in the country’s capital Tripoli from August 5 to 15. With over two months to the tournament, construction work on state of the art basketball arenas is in progress. There is also a big feeling that this year’s edition could go down as the mostly contested in history after reports that African players playing in the NBA and other top European leagues have confirmed to play for their respective countries. Meanwhile, the official launch of this year’s edition was held yesterday in Libya. During the event, the tournament’s official logo was displayed to the public. Angola won the last edition in 2007 on home soil after beating Cameroon 86-72 in the final. Since the competition’s inauguration back in 1962, Angola have won the championship a record nine times. Senegal and Egypt are level with five titles; Ivory Costa and Central African Republic have two titles each while Morocco has one title. Angola has also produced the last four Most Valuable Players (MVP) in Miguel Lutonda (2001 & 2003), Olimpio Cipriano (2005) and Joaquim Gomes (2007). Ends
