Basketball: Kenya set for Women's U16 debut in Kigali
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 01.09.25. | 17:08
The two finalists in the 2025 FIBA U16 Women's AfroBasket will represent the continent at the 2026 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Czechia from 11 to 19 July
As the FIBA U16 Women’s AfroBasket tournament heads to Kigali, Rwanda, for the second time in the history of the competition, Kenya's Junior Lionesses will make their long-awaited debut.
The tournament gets underway on Tuesday, 2 September at the Petit Stade court, where 11 national teams will do battle, looking to dethrone Mali, who have dominated the tournament since its inception.
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Kenya made history by qualifying for their maiden tourney after finishing the FIBA Zone 5 AfroBasket tournament with a 3-0 record.
They beat fellow East Africans, Uganda (63-40), Rwanda (61-53) and the host nation, Tanzania (79-51).
Buoyed by their dominance in the Zone Five qualifiers held in Tanzania earlier in the year, the Rose Mshila-coached side has a chance to test themselves against the continent's powerhouses as they look to carve a place on the continent.
In an interview after qualifying, Mshilla was impressed with the type of basketball her team had played in Tanzania.
"We stayed true to the identity of basketball we want to play. We wanted to play a fast-paced brand of basketball. The girls committed to running the floor, and they did well.
Defensively, the intensity was where we wanted it to be, and it allowed us to generate multiple offensive looks," said Mshilla.
"Our focus is on how we want to play as a nation. So, our girls are working on building that brand of basketball."
Mali remain the favourites with reigning silver medalists Egypt expected to give chase. With eight championships in eight editions, the West Africans have owned the tournament, and Kenya has their work cut out against such formidable opposition.
The two finalists in the 2025 FIBA U16 Women's AfroBasket will represent the continent at the 2026 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Czechia from 11 to 19 July.
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Also in contention are 2023 bronze medalists Angola and fourth-place finishers Tunisia.
Hosts Rwanda will be eager to take advantage of home-field advantage.
Morocco arrive for the second consecutive time, buoyed by their Zone 1 victory over Tunisia. Côte d'Ivoire will return after a twelve-year absence, while Tanzania will also step back onto the stage for the first time since 2019, when they secured seventh place.
