U16 Afrobasket: Cameroon books historic maiden qualification tickets.

The four-day qualifying tournament concluded in Douala in the Littoral Region over the weekend. It had Cameroon going up against the Central African Republic, CAR, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, for an available qualification ticket in each of the two categories. 

Smooth ride over CAR in female event

Team Cameroon qualified in the women’s category after humiliating its lone challenger, CAR, across two legs.

The Basketball Lionesses handed CAR a 103-12points bashing during the first game. Basketball Lionesses sensation, Mbaha Shanice, led the scoring in the fixture with a game-high 26points for Cameroon.

CAR tried to change the narrative in the reverse fixture following the first leg humiliation fruitlessly. Team Cameroon tamed the side with an authoritative 84-22points beating during the game. 

Mbaha who led Cameroon with the scoring in the first leg, also coordinated also played a key role during return fixture. 

The youngster who was an active part of Cameroon’s team that won a bronze medal in the 2024 Under-18 African Basketball Championship in South Africa last year, chipped in a game-high 21points for Cameroon during the match.

Both victories handed Team Cameroon a smooth qualification to the forthcoming continental finals with an aggregate score of 187-34point over CAR.

“I am really proud of our qualification. It is a first for us, and I am proud to be part of this team,” Mbaha stated after the game.

The 2025 U16 women’s championship will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 2 to 14. It is expected to bring together at least eight teams from across the African continent.

Cameroon, like other participating nations, will enter the tournament hoping to end Mali’s prolonged domination. Mali emerged as winners in all eight editions since the biennial competition was introduced 16 years ago. 

The two finalists of the Kigali tournament will qualify for the female category of the 2026 Under-17 Basketball World Cup. 

“My teammates and I will give our best, fight until the end, and hopefully win a medal. A gold medal would be even better,” Mbaha said, when asked about the Lionesses’ chances going to the September championship. 

“Honestly, we can become champions this year because our coaches will help us redouble our efforts in all circumstances. We will fight until the end and never give up. By the grace of God, we will be champions,” the FAP women basketball club sensation added. 

Easy qualifying journey in male series

Cameroon qualified in the male category after knocking out the DRC and the CAR in a more challenging three-team race in the series.

The U16 Lions stunned the CAR 84-57points and easily humbled the DRC 90-70points to kill the dreams of the Congolese who had silenced the DRC 80-73points in their other fixture. 

Following the two victories, Cameroon qualified for the Kigali finals as the winner of the Zone IV qualifiers in Douala. DRC ranked second while the CAR completed the race on bottom third position.

Cameroonian France-based star, Nolan Ngangmeni, was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after dominating with the number of points scored.

The Saint-Charles Basketball star powered in 16points in the first game for Cameroon before concluding the series with a more authoritative 23points in the second and final fixture. The 2025 U16 African championship will take place in Kigali, in September this year.

Cameroon will be up against 11 other African nations in the course of the Kigali finals where participating nations will be battling to dethrone defending champions, Guinea Conakry. The two finalists of the championship will qualify for the male category of the 2026 Under-17 Basketball World Cup.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3452 of Thursday May 22, 2025