Egypt U18 women extend perfect AfroBasket qualifying run with dominant Rwanda win

Egypt’s under-18 women’s team maintained their flawless start to the FIBA Africa Zone 5 AfroBasket qualifiers with a comprehensive 80-39 victory over Rwanda, strengthening their grip on top spot and preserving their 100% record.

The hosts’ third consecutive win in the women’s competition underlined their status as frontrunners for qualification to the AfroBasket U18 finals, as they produced another convincing display to overwhelm their Rwandan counterparts.

Egypt’s under-18 men also enjoyed a successful day, recording an 81-70 triumph over Rwanda to keep their own qualification campaign firmly on track in front of the home crowd.

Strong day for Egyptian teams

Both Egyptian sides have now built momentum in the regional event, which serves as the qualifying tournament for the AfroBasket U18 championships.

The women’s team, already leading the standings, faced little resistance as they eased past Rwanda, extending their unbeaten run and consolidating their position at the summit of the table.

In the men’s competition, Egypt overcame Rwanda 81-70 in what was described as a deserved win, ensuring the hosts remain well placed as the fight for the single qualifying berth intensifies.

Other Zone 5 results

Elsewhere in Monday’s action, South Sudan under-18 men defeated Kenya 75-59, further shaping the race in the boys’ tournament.

In the girls’ competition, Kenya under-18 women claimed a 70-53 win over Tanzania, keeping themselves firmly in contention behind leaders Egypt.

The day’s results in full were:

– Egypt v Rwanda (women U18): 80-39 – Egypt v Rwanda (men U18): 81-70 – South Sudan v Kenya (men U18): 75-59 – Kenya v Tanzania (women U18): 70-53

Qualification format and participating teams

The FIBA Africa Zone 5 U18 qualifiers will continue over the coming days, with teams from across the region battling for just one qualification place in each tournament for the AfroBasket U18 finals.

In the women’s competition, four national teams are taking part: hosts Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.

The men’s event features six sides: hosts Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Only the team finishing first in each of the boys’ and girls’ tournaments will advance to the AfroBasket U18 finals, which are scheduled to be held in August in Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast.

Tournament organisation

The Egyptian Basketball Federation has appointed its vice-president, Tarek El-Sayed, to oversee the organisation and management of the Zone 5 qualifying tournament on home soil.

With Egypt’s youth teams both enjoying strong starts and the competition set to continue in the coming days, the battle for the two available spots at the continental finals remains intense across the region.