MONROVIA (Liberia) – The battle for the sole ticket for Zone 3 nations for the 2025 FIBA U16 AfroBasket in Rwanda has begun in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia.
Currently, only three countries — Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, and host Liberia — are participating. They will play in a double round robin to determine the best team in the Zone, who will travel to Rwanda from September 2-14.
The tournament is taking place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Indoor Sports Hall in Monrovia and will showcase the best of these three teams.
Only Côte d’Ivoire participated in the last zone tournament, which was held in Accra, Ghana. They also attended the Final Round in Monastir, Tunisia, where they finished in sixth place.
Côte d'Ivoire is well prepared for a back-to-back appearance and is seeking its fifth appearance, as it battles Benin and Liberia, who are making their first appearances in the zonal tournament.
While Benin had a well-coordinated preparation program for this tournament, their goal, like the others, is to win the ticket.
Host Liberia, on the other hand, is leaving nothing to chance as it works its way back onto the international scene. They hope to use this tournament as a launching pad.
FIBA Africa Zone 3 President Sam Ahmedu, who is already in Monrovia, expressed optimism about the level of competition that will be on display.
"From the teams' enthusiasm and preparation upon arrival, this tournament promises top-quality competition," Ahmedu stated.
Liberia Basketball Association Secretary General Calvin Diggs also affirmed the host nation's readiness. "We are fully prepared to host a successful tournament," Diggs said in a virtual briefing from Monrovia.
Togo's U16 team could not attend due to ongoing civil unrest in the country. Burkina Faso withdrew at the last minute, citing financial constraints. No official reason was provided for the absence of Ghana, Nigeria, and Niger from the qualifiers.
Nigeria's absence is particularly notable given that they last participated in the 2023 U16 Afrobasket in Accra, Ghana. Despite winning the bronze medal in 2019, Nigeria suffered a shocking 47–45 loss to the host nation, Ghana, in their final qualifier game at the Eden Heights Arena—a result that sparked jubilant scenes from the home crowd.
However, Nigeria still emerged as the winner based on point differentials.
The stage is now set in Monrovia for new contenders to rise and secure their spot on Africa’s biggest youth basketball stage.
FIBA