ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) -After three days of competition and 12 games, four teams have secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Women's AfroBasket, having led their respective groups without losing a single game.
The remaining eight teams will compete for the remaining four spots in the Round of 16, which is scheduled for Wednesday, July 30.
Mozambique vs. Guinea
Mozambique is heading into the round of 16 with confidence after competing with the defending champions, Nigeria, in the group phase and only losing in the final minutes.
Who knows what could have happened if Leia Dongue and Carla Covane, Mozambique's key forward and center, had not fouled out in quick succession with just over four minutes left?
They are regrouping for a clash with Guinea, a team they previously defeated 99-40 and 88-47 during the group stage of the 2023 and 2017 editions, respectively.
Two years ago, Guinea shocked Angola, the favorites, in this stage of the competition, reaching their first quarterfinal since 1994. Can history repeat itself for another upset?
Dongue, Covane, and Ingvild Mucauro will lead Mozambique, while Guinea will rely on Masseny Kaba, Aicha Mara, and Fatoumata Jallow. Batouly Camara could also be a standout player if she performs better than she did in the group phase.
Egypt vs. South Sudan
It's a FIBA Africa Zone 5 rivalry playing out on the big stage for the first time.
The two sides have met four times since the East Africans first competed in the qualifiers in 2021, with Egypt prevailing each time.
In their debut, South Sudan has turned heads with impressive performances in losses to powerhouses Mali (55-53) and Cameroon (70-63). Egypt comes to the game on the heels of a 70-54 victory over two-time champions Angola and a 75-63 loss to the host team, Côte d'Ivoire, placing second in Group A.
Both teams have slightly different squads than those that played in the February qualifiers.
South Sudan will rely on Nyamer Diew. Since her 2021 debut, the 23-year-old has led the Bright Starlets with an average of 17 points in two games.
Delicia Washington and Adut Bulgak, who played in the qualifiers when Egypt hosted, will be crucial to the team's pursuit of their first win at the continental level.
History favors the North Africans, but they are missing two key talents who were present in Cairo in February. Guard Reem Moussa called time on her illustrious career just weeks before the Women's AfroBasket, and forward Nadine Mohamed picked up an injury that sidelined her from what would have been her fourth continental show.
However, with veteran players Raneem Elgedawy and Meral Abdelgawad, Egypt cannot be underestimated.
Senegal vs. Rwanda
This matchup evokes memories of last year's 2026 Women's Basketball World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Kigali, where Senegal beat Rwanda at home 68-65.
This will be the first time they have met in an African competition since September 27, 2011, when the West Africans won 71–61 in the FIBA Africa Championship for Women.
Both teams are wounded lions. The 11-time champions, Senegal, are looking to recover from their loss to Uganda in their last group match, while Rwanda is chasing its first win.
Cierra Dillard, Ndioma Kane, and Sokhna Ndiaye have been outstanding for Senegal, who are looking to advance and end their decade-long wait for the title.
Meanwhile, Destiny Philoxy and Bella Murekatete will be key for Rwanda. Murekatete averaged 17.5 points and 11 rebounds in the World Cup Pre-Qualifying tournament and will need to perform similarly to help her team advance.
The two have led the 2023 semifinalists so far.
Cameroon vs. Angola
In their six previous meetings, dating back to the Preliminary Round of the 2003 African Championship for Women on December 23, Cameroon has yet to defeat Angola.
The two teams last met in the 2017 edition, playing twice with final scores of 78-56 and 66-54 in the group and 5-8 classification matches, respectively.
On Wednesday, Cameroon will have their work cut out for them against an Angola team powered by Alexia Dizeko. The guard, who returned in 2019, has been incredible for the two-time champions, averaging 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Portugal-based Sara Caetano and Italee Lucas add depth to the team.
The Central Africans have Jessica Thomas, an American-Cameroonian and arguably one of the tournament's best ball handlers, calling their plays.
Dulcy Fankam, the talented second-round, 21st overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm, is expected to lead their defense against the Southern African nation. She was at the center of their bronze medal win at home in 2021. Joelly Belleka, a French native who made quite the impression on her debut, adds to their depth.
FIBA