From Saturday, July 26 to Sunday, August 3, Côte d’Ivoire will host the 29th edition of the Women’s AfroBasket, showcasing the very best of African women’s basketball. It is the first time ever that the nation of the Elephants will serve as the host of this prestigious biennial tournament.

Divided into four groups of three, the 12 best national teams on the continent will compete in 28 matches, all fighting for one coveted title. Between the dominance of traditional powerhouses, the ambition of rising contenders, and the emergence of newcomers, AfroBasket 2025 promises to be unforgettable.

 Nigeria: The Team to Beat

The trio of giants—Nigeria, Senegal, and Mali—will once again be in the spotlight, but it is Nigeria that enters the tournament as the undisputed favorite. The D’Tigress, drawn into Group D alongside Mozambique and Rwanda, have dominated the competition since 2015, stringing together 24 consecutive wins in the tournament. Under the leadership of coach Rena Wakama, Nigeria is chasing a fifth consecutive title, which would equal Senegal’s record of 11 championships.

 Senegal: Waiting to Rise Again

The Lionesses of Senegal are hungry to reclaim their former glory. Despite holding the record for most titles (11), Senegal hasn’t won since 2015, falling short in the last three finals, each time against Nigeria. With the departure of veterans like Astou and Aya Traoré, a generational shift is underway. Emerging stars like Yacine Diop, supported by the experienced Cierra Dillard, are determined to make a strong comeback. Placed in Group C with Uganda and Guinea, Senegal, led by coach Otis Hughley Jr., is looking to rise to the top once again.

 Mali: Ready for a Breakthrough?

A historic basketball nation, Mali has only one title to its name, won in 2007. Despite consistently reaching the podium in the last four editions, they’ve yet to reclaim the crown. Mali has long dominated African youth categories (U16 and U18), and this year’s squad, coached by Oumarou Sidiya Maïga, includes many who rose through those youth ranks. Led by Sika Koné of the Washington Mystics, this youthful group (average age: 24) is eager to end an 18-year title drought. Their Group B matchups against Cameroon and South Sudan will be key.

 Don't Count Out the Hosts: Côte d’Ivoire

Beyond the tournament favorites, several teams harbor legitimate ambitions. Côte d’Ivoire, hosting for the first time ever, has shown steady progress at AfroBasket. Their best result so far is a 4th-place finish in 2009. Backed by home support, captain Kariata Diaby and her teammates will be looking to reach the podium. French coach Stéphane Leite has been tasked with guiding the Elephants to new heights.

 The Underdogs and Rising Powers

·        Uganda’s Gazelles, making back-to-back AfroBasket appearances for the first time, impressed in the Zone 5 qualifiers in Egypt, and even beat Senegal in 2023.

·        Mozambique holds the unfortunate record of reaching three AfroBasket finals without ever winning but has made the quarterfinals in each of the past 12 editions.

·        Angola, champions in 2011 and 2013, is seeking redemption after a disappointing 10th-place finish last time. With Italee Lucas and Sara Caetano, coach Paulo Macedo hopes to return to the top in Group A.

·        Egypt, whose last medal dates back to 1977, is on the rise, climbing from 14th to 5th in Africa in just 10 years.

·        Cameroon, led by coach Ahmed Njoya, mixes domestic talent with players abroad. A podium finish outside their home country would be historic.

·        Guinea, the lowest-ranked team, surprised many by reaching the quarterfinals in 2023. With coach Malick Koné, Sily National aims to prove they can once again defy expectations in Group C.

 Keep an Eye on Rwanda and South Sudan

Two emerging teams also deserve attention:

·        Rwanda, who finished 4th as hosts in 2023, is eager to confirm its rise.

·        South Sudan’s Bright Starlets, debuting at the AfroBasket, will try to mirror the surprising success of their men’s team.

All matches will take place at the Palais des Sports in Treichville, Abidjan, where 28 epic battles will unfold to crown Africa’s new queen of basketball.