By: Perry B. Zordyu
Paynesville City — The highly anticipated FIBA Africa Zone 3 U-16 Afrobasket Boys’ and Girls’ Qualifiers officially tipped off Thursday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Gymnasium in Paynesville City, Liberia.
The regional tournament features three nations—host Liberia, Benin, and Ivory Coast—all competing for spots in the prestigious 2025 FIBA U-16 Afrobasket Championship.
Opening Day Action: Ivory Coast Dominates
The competition began with a girls’ fixture between Benin and Ivory Coast. The Ivorian team displayed impressive pace, coordination, and technical skill, overpowering Benin with a 73–31 victory.
Ivory Coast continued its dominant form in the boys’ division, dismantling Benin 98–20 in a one-sided affair. With back-to-back wins, the Ivorians have firmly established themselves as early favorites in both categories.
Host nation Liberia is set to make its tournament debut on Friday, July 11, facing Ivory Coast in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions.
The highly anticipated double-header kicks off at 5:00 PM and is expected to draw a passionate local crowd eager to support the national teams on home soil.
Tournament Format and Significance
The Zone 3 Qualifiers serve as a gateway to the continental 2025 FIBA U-16 Afrobasket Championship.
The top teams from this stage will advance to compete against Africa’s elite youth basketball nations.
Beyond the scoreboard, the tournament plays a vital role in promoting youth development, talent identification, and strengthening the future of basketball across the region.
Opening Day Marred by Technical Glitches
Despite the exciting on-court action, the tournament’s opening was not without issues. The event was marked by technical problems that drew criticism from both spectators and participants.
During the opening ceremonies, the public address (PA) system malfunctioned, cutting off the national anthem mid-play. Spectators and players had to complete the anthem by singing aloud, creating an awkward and unprofessional atmosphere.
Further embarrassment came during the girls’ match between Ivory Coast and Benin, when a power outage disrupted the game for approximately five minutes. Organizers had to rely on a small generator to restore electricity and complete the fixture.
Spectators voiced concerns about the poor organization, calling the situation an embarrassment not only to the tournament but to Liberia as the host nation.
Many criticized the apparent lack of preparation for an event of such international significance.
