By Perry B. Zordyu
Paynesville City – The Liberia U-16 national basketball teams began their campaign in the FIBA Africa Zone 3 U-16 AfroBasket Qualifiers on Friday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Gymnasium in Paynesville City.
The Liberia female U-16 team faced a strong opponent in Ivory Coast and, despite showing moments of resilience and determination, were outmatched by the visitors. The Ivorian side claimed a decisive 79–46 victory.
Later in the evening, the Liberia boys’ U-16 team also fell to Ivory Coast, losing 78–68 in a hard-fought match. According to basketball analysts, Liberia’s losses can be largely attributed to limited preparation time and ongoing financial constraints, which have affected team readiness.
Looking ahead, Liberia is expected to be awarded a forfeit win against Benin, which may boost their chances of qualifying for the 2025 U-16 AfroBasket Championship in Kigali, Rwanda.
The tournament officially kicked off on Thursday with opening matches between Ivory Coast and Benin. The Ivorian teams displayed dominant performances, defeating Benin 73–31 in the girls’ match and 98–20 in the boys’ match.
The Zone 3 Qualifiers feature youth teams from five West African nations—host Liberia, Ivory Coast, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Togo—all vying for a coveted spot at the continental championship in Kigali. Only the top team in each category (boys and girls) will advance to the final tournament.
Action resumes on Saturday, as Liberia faces Benin in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions in what will be crucial fixtures for the host nation.
