Africa - A round of the week's events (Feb-12-2024)

 

ABIDJAN (Cote D'Ivoire) - National teams, Federations and clubs were busy last week, and in this weekly review, FIBA.basketball bring you trending news from around the African basketball scene.

From Angola to Tunisia, here is what happened during the past week on the continent.

INTERCLUBE WIN ANGOLA SUPER CUP

Interclube defeated Primeiro D'Agosto 56-49 to lift the 2024 Angola Women's Super Cup on Sunday in the southern city of Namibe.

Mozambique's Ingvild Mucauro was the MVP of the game with 14 points, five rebounds and six assists. 

BENIN FEDERATION EMPOWERS PLAYERS, COACHES AND REFEREES

Benin Basketball Federation (BBF) has launched a training course aimed at around 30 coaches, who are set to work at the grassroots level, with kids aged 5-12.

Led by Lamatou Tegbe, National Technical Director for Benin Basketball, this course will see players, referees or aspiring coaches learn basic coaching and management skills to coach young athletes. International FIBA referee, Emmanuel Kpawogbo also chipped in, discussing new rules and regulations with the participants.

CAMEROON'S FAP SIGN GUINEA INTERNATIONALS DUO

Former SLAC and current Guinea national team players Alseny Bah and Ibrahima Kalil Fofana have signed for Cameroon club FAP for the 2023 - 2024 season.

Fofana, a three-time Guinea league champion with SLAC, last played for Cote d'Ivoire's Adjame Sports Association.

OWENDO AND MDA VICTORIOUS IN GABON CUP

In the YouZou Elite Basketball, Owendo 7.0 beat GSBC Elite 104-87, while MDA BB defeated LPJNM 62-48. Last season's winners are Clutch Time.

ZECEVIC RETURNS TO COACH GUINEA

Serbian coach Zeljko Zecevic is back at the helm of Guinea men's national team. Currently serving as head coach of AS Sale in the Morocco Basketball League, Zecevic landed in Conakry to prepare a team he has been coaching since 2021.  

He will lead Guinea during the opening Qualifying window of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket (February 23-25). The West Africans will battle against Tunisia, Angola and Kenya for a spot at next year's AfroBasket.

LIBYA CLINCH WIN IN WARM-UP GAME

In the build-up to the Pre-Qualifiers for the 2025 AfroBasket, where they will take on Zone 1 rivals Morocco, Libya beat  Al-Shabab Arab Club 80-59 in a friendly match.

The two North African countries will face off in a two-game series between February 18-20 in Monastir, Tunisia.

The winner will join Cape Verde, Nigeria and Uganda in Group B of the AfroBasket Qualifiers. 

APR START ON A WINNING NOTE IN RWANDAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Basketball action returned over the weekend in Rwanda with the start of both men and women's basketball leagues. Reigning champions APR, who are set to make their maiden appearance in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), dismantled recently promoted Keples University 93-67 in Friday's opener.

In the women's division, two fixtures took place. Champions REG overpowered EAUR 85-39; The Hoops RW proved too strong for UR Kigali, storming to a 91-27 win. 

MENDEZ HANDS BOUKICHOU A CALL-UP

Newly-appointed Morocco head coach Gustavo Aranzana Mendez has released a preliminary squad for the upcoming Pre-Qualifiers series against Libya, and the Spaniard made sure to call-up Khaled Boukichou, who starred for AS Sale in the BAL Season 2. 

FIBA