ABIDJAN -The FIBA Africa Central Board on Friday confirmed Bamako and Maputo as the host cities of the 2018 Under-18 FIBA African Championships for Men and Women.

While the Malian capital of Bamako will organize the FIBA U18 African Championship from August 17-26, its Mozambique counterpart Maputo will host this year's FIBA African U18 Women's Championship from July 29 - August 5.

Mali won the 2016 edition of the FIBA U18 Women's African Championship

And although both cities became strongholds to African basketball in recent years, it's the first time that Bamako host the FIBA U18 African Championship while Maputo last organized the FIBA U18 Women’s African Championship in 1996.

Prior to hosting last month's first-leg of Group B of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers, Bamako was home to the 2017 edition of the FIBA Women's AfroBasket.

And, before hosting last month's first-leg of Group D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers, Mozambique organized the FIBA U16 Women's African Championship.

Angola won the FIBA U18 African Championship 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda while Mali upset hosts Egypt to claim the FIBA U18 African Women's Championship 2016. 

The two finalists at both tournaments will represent Africa at next year's FIBA Basketball U19 World Championships.

FIBA