Mali favored as Afrobasket U18 opens in Abidjan

The Afrobasket U18 championship begins on 5 August in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, featuring twelve under‑18 national teams. Host nation Ivory Coast hopes to improve on a ninth‑place finish in 2024, while Mali enters as the dominant force, having won three of the last five editions and seeking to retain its title. Other strong contenders include Egypt, Cameroon and Senegal, each looking to challenge Mali's supremacy.

Madagascar arrives as an outsider after a flawless qualifying run, posting four decisive victories against Namibia and Zimbabwe. The Malagasy team, known as the Ankoay, will face a higher level of competition in Abidjan and must contend with the physicality of the top‑ranked sides.

The tournament will run through 16 August, with group stages determining the semifinalists and ultimately the champion of African youth basketball.