AfroBasket 2024 draw reveals SA’s opponents
The roster of 12 teams has been finalised as basketball enthusiasts across Africa eagerly await the forthcoming Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) u18 AfroBasket 2024, which takes place in Pretoria from 2-14 September.
The divisions for the boys’ and girls’ competitions were officially announced during a draw, held on Sunday, in Kigali, Rwanda.
The primary objectives of the competition extend beyond securing the title; the finalists will be granted an opportunity to represent Africa at the FIBA u19 Basketball World Cup in 2025, in Czechia.
It’s an opportunity to play at the highest level and to showcase the talent that lies on the African continent, and it’s also a chance for the players to create further opportunities for themselves in the game.
Both the boys’ and girls’ divisions have been divided into three groups, with each consisting of four teams.
In the girls’ division, the tournament host, South Africa, is in Group A, alongside Tunisia, Rwanda, and Cameroon.
In the boys’ division, South Africa is in Group C, where they will face Morocco, Zambia, and Rwanda, with the latter and Cote d’Ivoire having been granted wildcard slots in the field.
Draw: Girls
Group A: 1. South Africa, 2. Tunisia, 3. Cameroon, 4. Rwanda.
Group B: 1. Mali, 2. Morocco, 3. Zambia, 4. Angola.
Group C: 1. Egypt, 2. Zimbabwe, 3. Uganda, 4. Nigeria.
Draw: Boys
Group A: 1. Mali, 2. Cote d’Ivoire, 3. Cameroon, 4. Senegal
Group B: 1. Egypt, 2. Angola, 3. Uganda, 4. Nigeria
Group C: 1. South Africa, 2. Morocco, 3. Zambia, 4. Rwanda
COMPETITION FORMAT
In the group phase, the teams will face off in a round-robin system.
The teams that finish first and second in each group will advance to the quarterfinals and will be joined by the two best third-placed teams.
FINAL PHASE
The winners of the quarterfinals will advance to the semifinals, while the losers will play the classification games for fifth to eighth place.
The third place game and the final will be played on the last day of the competition, 14 September.
