Benin's daunting debut versus Mali highlights Thursday's Afrobasket U18 clash

The Afrobasket women's U18 tournament kicks off Thursday in Abidjan, with Benin returning to face defending champions Mali at 11:00. The match pits selector Jean M’po N’tcha’s side against a double‑title holder, setting a high‑stakes debut for the Beninese squad.

Les groups A and B make their entrée on Thursday, and Benin’s challenge is described as a roller‑coaster climb. The team must overcome the double champion Mali, a task that selector Jean M’po N’tcha acknowledges will be rude for his players.

The host nation, Ivory Coast, will meet Central African Republic later in the day, a fixture that sees the home side challenged by the Central African team.

A North African derby follows, with Morocco taking on Egypt, while a photo caption notes a Cameroun vs Sénégal match under the FIBA banner.

The final encounter pits Kenya against Uganda, a derby that also features a team making its return and another on its third consecutive participation.

Le programme des matchs de l’Afrobasket féminin U18 de ce jeudi is as follows: 11:00 – Benin vs Mali; 13:30 – Morocco vs Egypt; 16:00 – Ivory Coast vs Central African Republic; 18:30 – Uganda vs Kenya.

The contrast between Benin’s uphill battle and the host’s own challenge underscores the excitement building in Cotonou and across the region, promising a thrilling start to the tournament.