Africa’s basketball queens set for battle in Côte d’Ivoire
Africa’s top women’s basketball teams are all set to head to Côte d’Ivoire for a high-stakes battle that could reshape the continent’s place on the world stage.
Côte d’Ivoire.- Africa is gearing up for a historic showdown as the Women’s AfroBasket tournament takes place in Côte d’Ivoire for the very first time. Twelve of the continent’s fiercest basketball teams are ready to battle it out on the court, all with one goal in mind, continental glory and a golden ticket to the global stage.
It all unfolds in the week-long event from July 26 to August 3. Preparation is well underway with the squads involved in finalising rosters, training camps and crafting game plans.
The 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket extravaganza isn’t just a match but an all-important rehearsal for teams aiming to make waves at the Women’s Basketball World Cup. FIBA, the International Basketball Federation (Fédération Internationale de Basketball), said that Africa plays a huge role in the global event.
“The team that wins the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket will qualify directly for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026. They will also participate in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, in March 2026, along with the teams that finish second, third and fourth in the final standings,” said FIBA in a statement on its official website.
Africa’s four spots and Nigeria’s quest for history
FIBA said Africa will have a total of four representatives in the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournaments.
Nigeria is set to be a top contender due to its past wins, along with host city Côte d’Ivoire and other competing countries Uganda, Cameroon, Egypt, Rwanda, Guinea, Mali, Angola, Senegal, South Sudan and Mozambique, all committed to providing action-packed performances
Nigeria is chasing a fifth straight title after dominating the last four women’s tournaments without losing a single game. No team in the past 20 years has claimed five straight continental titles, yet Nigeria is hoping to make history.
The buzz in Côte d’Ivoire is hard to miss, with excitement building for what could be one of the most important times in African basketball history.
