The FIBA U16 AfroBasket for both boys and girls kicks off in Kigali from September 2-14. The tournaments will feature a total of 23 national teams from across the continent. As the tournament opens in the Rwandan capital, here are a few things you may need to know: Guinea here to defend the boys’ crown Holders Guinea head to Kigali carrying the momentum of their historic 2023 triumph in Tunisia. They reached that milestone by edging past Angola in the semifinals before stunning Egypt in the final to claim their first-ever U16 AfroBasket title. This year, all eyes are on whether they can pull it off again. Egypt, long a powerhouse of the tournament, return with a mission to reclaim their crown, while Mali, the 2017 champions and perennial contenders, are equally determined to fight for the top spot. With so many challengers in the mix, the battle for the trophy promises high drama from start to finish. It is the qualifier tournament for the U16 World Cup 2026 The U26 Afrobasket acts as the qualifier for the FIBA U17 World Cup 2026 which will take place in Turkey from June 27–July 5. The two finalists in Kigali will secure their spots on the global stage. ALSO READ: U16 AfroBasket 2025 to attract 23 countries So far, only four African nations have ever made it that far: Egypt, with a record seven straight appearances since 2010; Mali, three times (2016, 2018, 2022); Angola, once in 2014; and Guinea, debuting in 2024. This year’s tournament will determine who joins that elite group in 2026. What are the match venues in Kigali? Rwanda will host the continental boys’ tournament for the first time while the girls’ competition will be happening in the country for the second time, marking a significant milestone in the country’s basketball journey. Kigali has the honour of staging the U16 AfroBasket. The Rwandan capital city, known for its growing reputation as a sporting hub, is set to welcome 12 nations all eager to make their mark. The games will unfold at Petit Stade Gymnasium. Which teams are participating? This year’s field includes Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Morocco, Rwanda as the host nation, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, and Uganda. Each side will come to Kigali with different ambitions, but all will carry the same desire to leave their mark on Africa’s premier youth tournament. Who are the newcomers? Two countries will be making their debut on the U16 AfroBasket stage. Sierra Leone qualified by defeating Mauritania twice in the FIBA Africa Zone 2 Qualifiers, with Abdulrahman Sesay leading the way. His dominant performance included 16 points in the opener and a stunning display of 14 points, 25 rebounds, and 4 assists in the return leg. ALSO READ: Rwanda to host U16 Afrobasket 2025 Liberia also secured a historic first appearance, coming through the Zone 3 Qualifiers with back-to-back wins over Benin. Though they finished second to Côte d’Ivoire, their journey was enough to punch their ticket to Kigali. Which are the most dominant teams? Morocco make their long-awaited comeback to the U16 AfroBasket after 10 years when Mali hosted the competition in 2015. The North Africans now return with renewed ambition and the hope of writing a new chapter in their youth basketball story. Egypt remain the most decorated team in the history of the competition with five titles won in 2009, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2021. Yet their path has never been uncontested. Every time they pushed for a three-peat, another nation rose to stop them. Angola spoiled the party in 2013 with their lone title in Madagascar; Mali ended Egypt’s streak in 2017, and Guinea shocked them in 2023.
