Team Profile: Could Côte d'Ivoire be the first host country to win in two decades?

    Preview

    Côte d'Ivoire has been drawn in Group A with Angola and Egypt.

    ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - One thing Côte d'Ivoire learned from their last appearance at the Women's AfroBasket in 2023 is that winning just one game in the group stage might not be enough to advance in the competition.

    Two years ago, the Ivorians stunned Angola in Group A, where all three teams finished with a record of 1–1. However, a worse point differential prevented Côte d'Ivoire from advancing to the elimination round, while Angola and Rwanda progressed.

    Now, as hosts of the 2025 tournament, the "Elephants" aim to do things differently.

    Since 2017, Côte d'Ivoire has won three of its last four meetings against Angola.

    One of the most notable changes is the new coaching staff led by Stéphane Leite, who replaced Zoran Višić.

    For starters, Côte d'Ivoire is hosting the tournament for the first time in its history.

    Although they have shown an impressive level of competitiveness in recent years, their best result in tournament history was a fourth-place finish at the 2009 Women's AfroBasket in Madagascar.

    Côte d'Ivoire has competed in 15 continental championships, and the 2025 edition will make it the 16th.

    If they win the 12-nation competition, they will be the first host nation to win the tournament in front of their home fans since Nigeria in 2005. If Kariata Diaby is available for the tournament, she would be a massive addition to the Ivorians.

    Before beginning her professional career in France, Diaby made her Women's AfroBasket debut in 2013 in Mozambique.

    Diaby recently had a brief stint with the WNBA franchise Connecticut Sun and last played for her country at the 2017 Women's AfroBasket. Côte d'Ivoire already counts on all-rounder Djefarima Diawara.

    Côte d'Ivoire ranks ninth — three places above three other teams heading to this year's African Championship.

    FIBA

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