FIBA - The African Mirror

Jul

2022

South Sudan’s fairytale basketball story shows what’s possible

SILALEI SHANI, BIRD STORY AGENCY WHEN the first round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Africa qualifiers came to a close on July 3, with games played in Egypt, Cote D’Ivoire, and Rwanda, 12 teams had secured spots in the second round of qualifiers commencing at the end of August in a 2 group format, with Cote D’Ivoire, Angola, Guinea, Cape Verde, Nigeria and Uganda in one and South Sudan, Tunisia, Cameroon, Egypt, DR Congo and Senegal in the other. This sets up some tough matches in the next round but there are already some significant stories here. Africa’s…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Basketball star denied Olympic bid

SPORT

Former Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Most Valuable Player Nneka Ogwumike was denied an opportunity to represent Nigeria at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Ogwumike, who has been involved with United States of America (USA) basketball since high school, has been a longtime member within the US Senior basketball system. Having won gold with the American team previously, at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in 2014 and again in 2018, it was a shock that Ogwumike was left off the US team list. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Ogwumike has been missing for the roster list prior…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria out-hoops Argentina

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO NIGERIA continued their strong run defeating Argentina 94-71 in an exhibition tournament game in Las Vegas, United States of America (USA). Argentina, the number four ranked team according to International Basketball Federation (FIBA), came into the game as favourites, but ended up on the wrong end of a 20 point blowout. After an upset over the number one ranked USA team, D’Tigres (Nigeria’s National Team) has continued to show strength ahead of the forthcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Two big wins for the Nigerian team come on the backs of resilient play, active hands, quick feet and defensive effort…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

Mali basketball rocked by claims of sexual abuse

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO HAMANE Niang, head of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), has stepped aside from his role amid an investigation into allegations of systematic exploitation of female players at the Mali federation. Since The New York Times and Human Rights Watch showcased the published allegations, more than 12 coaches and officials have been implicated in the sexual abuse of almost 100 women's players. Niang is not directly implicated in the sexual abuse allegations but the alleged systemic sexual harassment in the Mali Basketball Federation took place during his time as the head of the organisation from 1999 until 2007. Coach…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

A hoop dream come true

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO THE dreams of African basketball players around the globe to play the sport at the highest level on African soil will be realized at the Kigali Arena in Rwanda in the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL). The 26-game tournament tips-of on May 16 - with the final being played on May 30. The Basketball Africa League (BAL) is the first partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA) outside of North America. The inaugural league, formed in collaboration with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), includes club teams from African countries such as Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco,…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

FIBA and Botswana announce partnership

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO THE resurgence of Botswana basketball has begun. The Botswana Basketball Association (BBA) has announced a partnership with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The FIBA PLUS Strategy and Planning Program aims to “Empower National Federations” by organizing, professionalizing, and commercializing the Associations basketball activities. After taking steps to understand the current details of BBA’s organization FIBA will assist in developing and implementing strategies for basketball development in Botswana. The initiative will assist in advancing federation growth and progression through sustainable strategic goals. "The Botswana Basketball Association is delighted and honored to have been selected to benefit from the FIBA…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

South Sudan women’s basketball team – stars on the rise

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SOUTH Sudan is still on a high after their senior men’s team qualified for their maiden African Basketball championship (AfroBasket) tournament, and the prospects of the women’s team replicating the same feat are looking greater and greater. President of the South Sudan basketball federation, and former National Basketball Association (NBA) All-star, Luol Deng has helped provide the world a glimpse of what South Sudan as a basketball nation is capable of. Deng saw his senior men’s team qualify for the International Basketball Association (FIBA) AfroBasket tournament, scheduled for late-August 2021 in Rwanda, in their first time of asking.…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

South Sudan soar to unchartered territory

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO THE newest face on the African basketball court debuted at the Federation International Basketball (FIBA) Afrobasket preliminary tournament in Kigali, Rwanda and have become the biggest movers on the FIBA Top 100 World rankings. South Sudan found themselves in group D, alongside Nigeria, the number one senior men’s team in Africa, and two formidable foes in Rwanda and Mali. These fixtures painted a steep hill to climb for the nation appearing in their first Federation International Basketball (FIBA) Afrobasket preliminary tournament. After a tough opening game going down 56-76 to Nigeria, the South Sudanese regrouped to register back…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Egypt and Mali claim U18 AfroBasket Honours

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO MALI’S U18 men’s national team won their second straight Federation International Basketball (FIBA) U18 African championship title after edging Senegal 82 - 80 in their finals matchup in Cairo, Egypt. https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1336772508159270913 The young Malian team were defeated by their Senegalese adversaries earlier in the week, but rose up to take the title with a last minute dynamic style. Both teams have booked their place in the 2021 U19 World Cup. Mali were helped by their young star Bourama Coulibaly, who was named tournament MVP, for his standout performances throughout the week. https://twitter.com/EBBFED/status/1336791753505050627 The Women’s championship ran concurrently with…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

From bombs, bullets to hoops

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO THE odds of survival in a country devastated by civil war are slim. The odds of making it overseas, away from a civil war, are even slimmer. The odds of making it into the best basketball league in the world as a native of South Sudan? Near impossible. But defying the odds is what turns good teams into great ones. That is the inspirational story of Manute Bol, who survived the bombs and bullets of a war in South Sudan and made it into the US National Basketball Association (NBA), the biggest and richest league in the sport.…