All 16 participants will be in action on the first day of the competition taking place in Tunisia and Senegal after Angola and Congo Republic failed to host the tournament.
2015 finalist and record winners Angola is due to play Uganda in the final game of the round at 21:00 GMT; the unique case of two countries hosting the competition means games will be played almost at the same time in Dakar, Senegal and Tunis, Tunisia.
Nigeria heads into the competition with a new look roster from the group that won the West African country’s maiden continental title.
However, former NBA lottery pick Ike Diogu returns to the team to lead D’Tigers new challenge which includes Washington Wizards 2017 Draft pick Daniel Ochefu.
Bronze medal winners at the last competition, Tunisia isn’t considered a major threat this time around following the absence of Dallas Mavericks Center Salah Mejri and EuroLeague star Michael Roll.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
