The African basketball scene was abuzz with activity last week, showcasing the continent’s vibrant sports culture and the burgeoning talent across national teams, federations, and clubs.
Here’s a roundup of the week’s most notable events from Angola to Tunisia, as reported by FIBA.
In a fiercely contested Angola Women’s Super Cup final, Interclube triumphed over Primeiro D’Agosto with a score of 56-49, in Namibe, a southern city of Angola. Mozambique’s Ingvild Mucauro stood out, claiming the MVP title with an impressive 14 points, five rebounds, and six assists, leading Interclube to victory.
Turning our attention to Benin, the Benin Basketball Federation (BBF) is taking significant strides towards empowering the future of basketball in the country. A new training course aimed at approximately 30 coaches for young athletes aged 5-12 has been launched.
This initiative, led by National Technical Director Lamatou Tegbe, aims to instill basic coaching and management skills in players, referees, and aspiring coaches. The course also featured insights from International FIBA referee Emmanuel Kpawogbo on new rules and regulations, emphasizing the federation’s commitment to developing the sport from the grassroots level.
In player transfer news, Cameroon club FAP has bolstered its roster by signing Guinea national team players Alseny Bah and Ibrahima Kalil Fofana. Both players bring a wealth of experience and achievements, including Fofana’s three-time Guinea league champion title with SLAC.
The Gabon Cup saw Owendo 7.0 and MDA BB emerge victorious in their respective matches, setting the stage for an exciting YouZou Elite Basketball season ahead.
In a significant coaching move, Serbian Zeljko Zecevic returns to lead Guinea’s men’s national team, bringing his extensive experience back to the West Africans as they prepare for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Qualifying window. Zecevic’s leadership is anticipated to be a key factor in Guinea’s pursuit of a spot at next year’s AfroBasket.
Libya showcased its readiness for the upcoming Pre-Qualifiers for the 2025 AfroBasket by securing a win against Al-Shabab Arab Club in a warm-up game. The North African team is gearing up for a crucial two-game series against Morocco, with the winner set to advance to Group B of the AfroBasket Qualifiers.
Rwandan basketball leagues kicked off with reigning champions APR and REG showing dominance in their opening matches. APR’s convincing win over Keples University marks their preparation for their maiden appearance in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), while in the women’s division, REG and The Hoops RW recorded emphatic victories.
Lastly, Morocco’s basketball scene is buzzing with anticipation as newly-appointed head coach Gustavo Aranzana Mendez announced his preliminary squad for the Pre-Qualifiers series against Libya. Among the called-up players, Khaled Boukichou’s inclusion highlights his standout performance in the BAL Season 2, underscoring the depth of talent Morocco aims to showcase.
This week’s roundup reflects the dynamic and evolving landscape of African basketball, highlighting significant developments across coaching, player movements, and grassroots initiatives, all contributing to the sport’s growth and competitiveness on the continent.
