ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - South Africa is set to host 12 teams for this year’s FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket set to tip off on 2 to 14 September with expectations for a competitive show high.
The finalists qualify for the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Brno, Czechia.
Mali have been dominant, winning eight of the 16 editions held so far in 12 appearances, and while they head to South Africa as favourites alongside continental silver medalists Egypt, they could face some real tests elsewhere.
The field has included four debutants, including the hosts as well as some returning sides.
Cameroon, South Africa, Morocco, and Zambia are making their debut. Nigeria are returning since 2008, Rwanda since their 2018 debut, and Tunisia, making a seventh appearance, are back after a decade on the sidelines.
Playing their Zone 1 qualifiers in Tunisia last month, Morocco shone bright away from home to secure their slot to South Africa, against the hosts and Algeria. Beaten earlier by Tunisia in the group phase, the Moroccans quickly took charge in the final and kept up the tempo to win 52-49.
The North Africans beating a former champion in Tunisia, to debut, points to a side that is ready to challenge the status quo.
Elsewhere, Cameroon, who have had a strong presence in the senior category, are surprisingly making their debut in the age-group competition with former international Alfred Aboya, who has now taken over the U18 men’s team, saying the country ‘has been in the wilderness’ in youth competitions, and investing in the future has become crucial.
“For the longest time, Cameroon has not had junior U18 teams yet we have had athletes who left the country to make careers overseas. Youth development is important because kids develop friendships early. When they get to the seniors, they know each other. It (development) helps with the team’s cohesion. It is fantastic. The federation is doing a great thing by sending the youth to these competitions,” Aboya told South Africa’s The Big Tip Off.
The story repeats for Zambia who are not only making their debut in this category but are putting an end to more than three decades of absence for the Southern Africa side. The last time a Zambian team participated in the AfroBasket was in 1989.
Meanwhile, little has come out from the host’s camp with the squad and technical bench yet to be named.
However, enjoying home advantage could be South Africa’s secret weapon despite their inexperience.
Returning sides, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Tunisia are no pushovers as well. Nigeria, particularly has things going for them in the senior category as they have won four AfroBasket titles in a row, and their recent show at the Paris Olympics should be motivation for the youngsters.
Rwanda’s basketball has been on the rise and it is no surprise that their junior side has qualified for the continental showpiece. Meanwhile, 2004 champions Tunisia have been away for 10 years but shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Qualified Teams:
South Africa-debut (Host) Mali -13th appearance Egypt - 8th appearance Angola - 14th appearance Morocco - debut Nigeria - 3rd appearance (returning since 2008) Cameroon - debut Uganda - 5th appearance Zambia - debut Rwanda - 2nd appearance (Returning since 2018 debut) Tunisia - 7th appearance (Returning since 2014) Wild Card - Apportioned by FIBA Africa
FIBA