ABIDJAN (Cote d’Ivoire) – Excitement is building for this year's Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA), with the Zonal Qualifiers set to begin in a matter of weeks.
As the national champions prepare for the qualifiers, all eyes are on what promises to be a fiercely competitive tournament, showcasing the talent, determination and development of women’s basketball across the continent.
The qualifiers promise intense competition, with national champions from Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Angola and beyond battling it out for a place on the continental stage.
Qualifying for the Final Round through these qualifiers is not only prestigious, but also paves the way for a chance to win the title, currently held by Ferroviaro de Maputo of Mozambique.
See below for the potential representatives of the seven FIBA Africa Zones in the upcoming WBLA Qualifiers.
Zone 6
The continental reigning WBLA champions, Ferroviaro de Maputo, are in the race again after claiming the Mozambique national women’s title in a showdown against Costa de Sol.
Ferroviário were caught off guard at the start of this five-game series when they found themselves 2–0 down. However, they fought back to turn the series around, ultimately claiming a 3–2 victory and successfully defending their title.
They are currently looking strong for a place in the Final Round, where they will seek a fourth continental title, having previously won in 2018, 2019 and 2024. The qualifiers provide Costa de Sol with another chance to compete for the title, but first they must fend off challenges from Zone 6 clubs from Angola and Botswana. In Botswana, Dolphins were crowned national champions after a hard-fought 2–1 series victory over Police, winning games one and three 63–60 and 56–49 respectively. Dolphins' Natasha Lopang earned the Women's Most Valuable Player award, highlighting the team's dominance. The club's success is built on a strong core: teammates Botsile Ramabu and Dom Thomas joined MVP Delahoussaye in the men's All-Star selections, signalling a well-rounded basketball programme on the rise.
Sporting de Luanda made history by winning the 2025 “Liga Azule” and capturing their first-ever Angolan National Senior Women’s Basketball Championship after an epic 93-88 double-overtime victory over 1º de Agosto.
Sporting swept the best-of-five series 3–0, with star forward Chanaya Pinto delivering a game-high 39 points in the final.
This victory marks a turning point in Angolan women’s basketball, as Sporting challenges the long-standing dominance of Interclube and 1º de Agosto.
Meanwhile, BH Ladies emerged as Malawi’s 2025 national champions after defeating ArkAngels 52–37, building momentum for their upcoming continental challenge.
South Africa: Montana Vikings Reign Supreme - The senior women’s team of the Montana Vikings Basketball Club secured the national title at the University of Cape Town (UCT) over the weekend, further establishing their reputation as a dominant force in South African basketball ahead of the qualifiers.
Zone 5
In Zone 5, 2024 finalists Al Ahly of Egypt are in the mix again, having won the Egyptian Cup 99–64 against Sporting Club in the final. Once again, they will be seeking to reach the final round and prove that they are worthy contenders.
However, they will have to face the champions of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, should they all show up.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s KPA women’s team completed a flawless playoff run to clinch the 2025 Kenyan Women’s National Basketball League title, sweeping Zetech 3–0. Their decisive 59-51 victory in Game 3 showcased KPA’s depth, hustle and championship pedigree, establishing them as formidable contenders in the qualifiers.
The Rwanda Energy Group (REG) women’s team won the 2025 Rwanda Cup by beating rivals APR Women 79–52. REG also secured the Rwanda Women’s Basketball League title in a thrilling seven-game final against Kepler.
Led by standout performers such as Gloriose Byukusenge, Akon Rose Paul Macuei and Maiga Kadidia, REG will carry the nation’s hopes at the Africa Zone Five Club Championship later this year.
Zone 4
Cameroonian clubs FAP Basketball and Overdose Up Station are set to make their mark in the WBLA qualifiers, highlighting the increasing quality of women’s basketball in the country.
Their preparations for the qualifiers demonstrate Cameroon’s ambition to join the continent’s elite.
FAP and Overdose will represent Cameroon in this year's WBLA qualifier in Kinshasa, DR Congo.
Samuel Nduku, the president of the Cameroon Basketball Federation, has confirmed that the two teams have been cleared to represent the country in the qualifiers, alongside champion teams from the Central African Republic, DR Congo and Gabon.
Zone 3
In Nigeria, the Dolphins finally won the national women’s league title after a 10-year wait, with a dramatic 61-55 overtime victory against former champions First Bank.
Held at the National Stadium in Lagos, the championship game drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, showcasing the growing popularity of women’s basketball in Nigeria.
The Dolphins’ resilience and composure in overtime secured a historic triumph and boosted their confidence ahead of the qualifiers.
Awele Okoh told FIBA that she owed all the accolades to her teammates. 'This win and the MVP accolade go to my teammates because, without them, I wouldn't have made it this far. As a team, we will continue to do our best and work harder to represent Nigeria well at the Zone Three Qualifiers.”
First Bank finished second at the end of the NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League. Joseph Benson, a key member of the team, said that losing to the Dolphins 8–2 in overtime after both sides were tied at 53–53 after 40 minutes was painful.
"The game is over and we can only look forward to the Zonal Qualifiers. This team will work hard to secure a place in the Final Round and represent the Zone.”
Meanwhile, Energie BBC clinched the 2025 championship in Benin with a convincing 67–48 win over ASPAC BBC Ladies in the final. Energie's dominant performance capped off a strong tournament run, establishing them as one of the top contenders from West Africa.
Zone 2
The Black Mamba of Guinea are the winners of the 2025 Guinea Women’s National League. They secured the 2025 title by beating FireBall Athletic Club 3–1 in the final. Game 4 saw the Black Mambas win 67–46, sealing the championship.
In Senegal: ASCVD were crowned the 2025 Senegal Cup champions after beating DUC 61–55 in the final. Both clubs will represent Senegal in the zone qualifiers.
In Mali, Stade Malien won the women's national league title. This was thanks to their 3–0 final series win over Djoliba. The final game ended 71–68, following previous wins of 82–55 and 71–59.
FIBA