The U18 Women'African Championship is back - Things to know about the tournament

 

ANTSIRABE (Madagascar) - When the 2022 FIBA U18 Women's African Championship gets underway on Thursday in Antsirabe, all eyes will be on Madagascar, Egypt and Mali.

Egypt shocked the continent hierarchy two years ago after stunning Mali to win the tournament on home soil. Therefore, they are the African reigning champions.

Mali are no less than the most dominant team in history of the competition.

And Madagascar aren't only returning to the competition for the first time since 2016, but they are also hosting the U18 Women's African Championship for the very first time. 

Seven years ago , Madagascar hosted the FIBA U16 Women's African Championship, having finished fifth on the back of a 4-2 record. 

This year's U18 Women's African Championship starts on Thursday, August 4 and finishes on Sunday, August 14.

At stake in Antsirabe will be the two tickets on offer for African countries for the 2023 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup.

Mali and Egypt emerge as frontrunners to reach the final, but they will need to be better than Angola, Madagascar, Guinea, Algeria, debutant Tanzania and Uganda, the other participants in the tournament.

It's the first time that the Malagasy city of Antsirabe hosts a major continental tournament, and expectations are high among the home team fans. 

All 2022 FIBA U18 Women's African Championship games will be live streamed on FIBA's Youtube Chanel.

At a first glance, Angola and Madagascar - who both missed out the 2020 edition of the tournament due to the COVID pandemic - appear as the main threats to Mali and Egypt, however, they will need to be more than theoretical title contenders.

Mali have won three of the last four editions of the tournament dating back to the 2014 FIBA U18 Women's African Championship.

And to make sure, everything goes according to plan, Mali brought to Antsirabe half of team from the 2022 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup. 

Madagascar will try to become the first host team other than Mali and Egypt to win the tournament.

FIBA