Rwanda’s U18 men’s national basketball team has been placed in Group C alongside Cameroon, Tunisia and Senegal for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Championship set to take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from August 5 to 16.
The draw ceremony was held on Sunday, August 2, in Abidjan, bringing together the 12 teams that will compete for continental glory in the youth tournament.
The participating teams have been divided into three groups of four, with each team set to play three group-stage matches against opponents in their respective pools.
Following the group stage, the top three teams from each group will be ranked according to their performance, including wins and points difference, to determine the quarter-finalists.
The eight best-ranked teams will advance to the knockout stage, while the remaining four sides will compete for positions between ninth and 12th.
The tournament carries additional significance, as the two finalists will earn qualification for the 2027 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, which will be hosted in Czechia.
Rwanda’s Group C opponents include some of Africa’s established basketball nations, with Cameroon, Tunisia and Senegal all having strong records in youth basketball competitions.
Meanwhile, hosts Côte d’Ivoire were drawn in Group A alongside Egypt, Chad and Nigeria, while Group B features Mali, Madagascar, Gabon and Morocco.
The tournament will provide Rwanda’s young talents with an opportunity to test themselves against the continent’s best teams as they pursue a place in the knockout stage and a possible ticket to the global U19 championship.
