PRETORIA (South Africa) - It is all systems go for the FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket 2024 as 12 teams take to the floor from 1 to 13 September in Pretoria, South Africa.
At stake is both the title and a final berth that assures said teams a place in the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2025 in Czechia.
All podium finishers from the last edition held in Madagascar back in 2022, Mali, Egypt and Angola are back to vie for the title but this year’s also brings with it five debutants and three returnees, setting the stage for some intriguing match-ups in the group stage.
In Group A, hosts and debutants South Africa take on Tunisia, Rwanda and fellow debutants Cameroon while Group B has holders Mali up against debutants Morocco and Zambia as well as bronze medalists Angola. The last Group features silver medalists Egypt, Uganda, Nigeria and debutants Zimbabwe.
Here are some matches expected to be thrillers:
Mali vs Angola (Group B)
An absolute cracker given the history between the two sides. Record title holders Mali come in as favourites. The last time the two sides met was in the 2022 semi, the eventual champions dominating 67-36.
As fate would have it, the match is scheduled for the opening day, meaning none will have time to scout before the clash.
Egypt vs Uganda (Group C)
This is a clash between two FIBA Africa Zone 5 sides with more than group positions to fight for, but also bragging rights. The silver medalists did not feature in the zone qualifiers where Uganda dominated and it will be interesting to see how the fixture unfolds.
Nigeria vs Egypt (Group C)
In their third appearance, Nigeria are making a comeback for the first time since 2008 but they come buoyed by their run in the three-way qualification against Liberia and hosts Cote d'Ivoire as well as their senior women's performance, having dominated the last four editions.
Against Uganda and Zimbabwe, the West Africans are expected to hold their own but it is against the silver medalists where their mettle will be tested.
South Africa vs Cameroon (Group A)
The two sides will have played Rwanda and Tunisia in their respective opening fixtures in the group and that gives them perspective before they clash.
The hosts have home court advantage while the West Africans have had a strong presence in the senior ranks. It remains to be seen whether that trickles down to the junior side.
Group A: 1. South Africa, 2. Tunisia, 3. Cameroon, 4. Rwanda. Group B: 1. Mali, 2. Morocco, 3. Zambia, 4. Angola. Group C: 1. Egypt, 2. Zimbabwe, 3. Uganda, 4.Nigeria. FIBA