Mali face Egypt as 2026 Women’s U18 AfroBasket first-round schedule is confirmed

The 2026 Women’s U18 AfroBasket will feature 12 teams, with defending champions Mali beginning their campaign against Benin before facing Morocco and Egypt in Group B.

Mali will put their title on the line in Cote d’Ivoire as they attempt to win the competition for a third consecutive time. The hosts will also attract attention as they return to the African stage.

Group B is set to produce a closely contested battle, with Mali and Egypt among the teams expected to challenge for a strong start. Group C will also feature several notable fixtures, including Nigeria against Cameroon and Senegal against Tunisia.

The first-round programme is as follows:

Wednesday, 5 August 2026

13:30 – Tunisia v Nigeria 16:00 – Cameroon v Senegal

Thursday, 6 August 2026

11:00 – Benin v Mali 13:30 – Morocco v Egypt 16:00 – Cote d’Ivoire v Central African Republic 18:30 – Uganda v Kenya

Friday, 7 August 2026

13:30 – Senegal v Tunisia 16:00 – Nigeria v Cameroon

Saturday, 8 August 2026

11:00 – Central African Republic v Kenya 13:30 – Egypt v Benin 16:00 – Cote d’Ivoire v Uganda 18:30 – Mali v Morocco

Sunday, 9 August 2026

13:30 – Cameroon v Tunisia 16:00 – Nigeria v Senegal

Monday, 10 August 2026

11:00 – Morocco v Benin 13:30 – Central African Republic v Uganda 16:00 – Kenya v Cote d’Ivoire 18:30 – Mali v Egypt

The opening round begins with two Group C fixtures on Wednesday, as Tunisia meet Nigeria before Cameroon face Senegal. Mali then enter the tournament on Thursday against Benin, while Egypt start against Morocco.

Cote d’Ivoire’s return to the competition continues with a meeting against Central African Republic, and Uganda play Kenya in the other fixture that day.

The second set of Group C matches will take place on Friday, with Senegal facing Tunisia and Nigeria meeting Cameroon. Saturday brings four games, including Egypt’s encounter with Benin and Mali’s match against Morocco.

The group-stage schedule concludes on Monday with Morocco against Benin, Central African Republic against Uganda, Kenya against Cote d’Ivoire and Mali against Egypt.