FIBA Africa Zone 1 Weekly Review: 11/07/2024

FIBA Africa Zone 1 Weekly Review: 11/07/2024

Tunisia, Morocco & Algeria To Battle For FIBA U18 AfroBasket Spot

Host nation Tunisia, along with Morocco and Algeria, will compete in the Zone 1 qualifiers from July 11-14, 2024, for a coveted spot in the 2024 FIBA U18 AfroBasket.

These three nations, each with substantial experience in the tournament, are eager to outperform their rivals and secure their ticket to the U18 AfroBasket, scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 8, 2024, in South Africa. Tunisia enters the Zone 1 qualifier as the favourites, bolstered by a roster of promising teenage talents and substantial home support. The tournament will be a single-elimination event culminating in a direct final.

Tunisia has a rich history in this competition, having participated eight times, reaching the finals in 2010 and 2014, and earning a bronze medal in the inaugural U18 AfroBasket in 1977. Building on this legacy, Tunisia has undertaken a sustainable preparation strategy for the upcoming continental basketball showcase.

In March, the Tunisian U18 team participated in the U18 Friendship Tournament in Bamako, Mali, followed by three intensive training camps. These camps featured games from June 11 to 14 and June 20 to 24 in Rades, and from July 2 to 6 in Monastir. Under the guidance of Coach Hichem Ezzahi, Tunisia will look to Hamza Masrouki to spearhead their efforts in a group where the competitors are well-acquainted with each other.

Hamza Masrouki shone at the FIBA U16 African Championship in 2023, averaging 11.6 points and 5 rebounds over five games. During their preparatory matches, Tunisia demonstrated a knack for executing fast breaks and catching opponents off guard. The team will need to be in top form to return to the continental stage, having missed the competition in 2020 and 2022.

While Tunisia will rely on strong home support, Morocco will depend on a core of talented players based abroad. The Moroccan roster includes at least nine players competing in Europe and America, such as Omar Karim (Italy), Ryana Sulhi (USA), Ryan Mukrim (France), Noah Al-Baz (France), Al Husni Jassim Zidane (France), Salman Harash (France), Hisha Pentbgaut (Spain), Marwan Rayani (Belgium), and Adan Poyeto (Belgium).

Algeria, which finished seventh in 2022, is well aware of the rigorous competition ahead but remains confident in its thorough preparation to handle its opponents and potentially secure qualification for the event in South Africa later this year.

The same countries will also compete in the girls' tournament. In this category, the Tunisian girls displayed skills during the Tournoi de l'Amitié in Mali. The team played an exhilarating final against Mali and, despite their defeat, delivered a remarkable performance that left supporters in awe. Nevertheless, they must overcome their two formidable opponents, Morocco and Algeria, which will be no easy task.

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[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]