Egypt Revive Basketball World Cup Qualification Hopes with Senegal Win Ahead of Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo Tests

Egypt’s basketball team face two crucial games against Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo after a major victory over Senegal revived their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.

Egypt defeated hosts Senegal 76-67 on Thursday in their opening game of the second round of the African Qualifiers in Dakar, improving their record to 4-3 in Group F.

Senegal Win Puts Egypt Back in the Race

The Pharaohs entered the second round carrying a 3-3 record from the opening phase, leaving little room for error against a Senegal side that had won its previous five qualifying games.

Egypt responded with one of the biggest results of the opening night of the fourth qualifying window.

After trailing 17-13 at the end of the first quarter, Egypt took control with a 30-point second period and went into halftime with a 43-34 advantage.

The Pharaohs also won the battle on the boards, outrebounding Senegal 53-45, including 23 offensive rebounds, while limiting the hosts’ effectiveness from the field.

Omar Oraby scored 15 points, Adam Moussa provided 14 off the bench and Anas Mahmoud added 13 as Agusti Julbe’s side secured a victory that kept their World Cup campaign firmly alive.

Back-to-Back Tests Against Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo

There will be little time to celebrate, however, with Egypt now facing two back-to-back games that could have a major impact on their qualification chances.

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Egypt take on Group F leaders Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday before facing DR Congo on Sunday in their final game of the fourth qualifying window.

Côte d’Ivoire strengthened their position with an 83-77 victory over Mali, taking their record to 6-1, while DR Congo suffered a 100-68 defeat against Angola.

How Can Egypt Qualify for the World Cup?

Africa has five places at the 2027 World Cup.

The top two teams in each of the two six-team second-round groups qualify automatically, while the fifth African ticket goes to the best third-placed team across the two groups.

Egypt’s victory over Senegal improved their record to 4-3 and brought them closer to the teams above them in a tightly contested Group F.

Winning both remaining games in Dakar would leave Egypt at 6-3 heading into the final qualifying window in February 2027, putting them in a strong position to challenge for a top-two finish or, at minimum, the best third-place berth.

One victory from the next two games would keep Egypt firmly in contention but increase the pressure on their final three qualifiers in February.

Two defeats, meanwhile, would leave the Pharaohs with a considerably more difficult route to the World Cup.

With their qualification hopes revived by a statement victory over Senegal, Egypt now have another opportunity to transform the shape of their campaign when they face Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo on successive days.