Who can dethrone Egypt?
ABIDJAN (Cote d’Ivoire) – Egypt head to Madagascar with the sole aim of adding another piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet, but they need to overcome four other legitimate contenders.
ANTANANARIVO (Madagascar) – Egypt head to Madagascar with the sole aim of trying to win back-to-back titles at FIBA U18 Women's African Championship.
But a few contenders are on the lookout for the slightest misstep to steal the throne and start a new reign.
Here is an overview of the teams that can overcome the Egyptian powerhouse and could be crowned the new African champions.
Mariam Ibrahim Sarr
1. Mali
Mali always entered the African championship as hot favourites. The team with the five African titles come to Madagascar with the sole intention of claiming back the trophy they left to their arch-rival Egypt. And this time, they can count on the likes of forward Roukia Berthe, who averaged 12.7 PPG at the FIBA U17 World Cup, and Mariam Ibrahim Sarr, with 6 RPG, to make it to the Championship game at least. The rest will only be determined by the laws of the court.
2. Angola
A former FIBA U18 Women's African Championship champions, Angola is looking to make it back to the top.
But since they last won the tournament, two decades ago, they have met with Mali and Egypt, who have stepped in their way and rendered things more difficult for the lusophone.
Angola have showed regular progress during the past three editions of the FIBA U18 Women's Championship – they did not enter the 2020 tournament – finishing 5th in 2014, 4th in 2016 and 3rd in 2018.
Is 2022 the year Angola makes it back to the top?
Algeria last featured at the FIBA U18 African Women Championship in 2016
3. Algeria
What can be expected from Algeria ? The North Africans come to Madagascar with the intention of showing they belong to the African elite. They used to navigate between the third place – which they attained back in 2020 – and the fourth place they reached in 2014. Algeria come with the advantage of being an unknown equation for their opponents.
4. Madagascar
The hosts have booked a date with destiny. Madagascar come to the 2022 FIBA U18 Women's African Championship with the firm intention of shaking up the hierarchy.
Plus they are playing in front of their home fans. This enough could be the spark that the Malagasy side needs to illuminate the tournament. Plus, they have some solid examples – their elders who were once African champions – to look up to.
FIBA