FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament Preview: Mexico

FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament Preview: Mexico

As the road to the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin begins, Mexico will host one of the inaugural Pre-Qualifying Tournaments, where the Mali and Mozambique women's national teams will aim to advance to the next round. With African basketball gaining global attention after Nigeria's historic Olympic performance, Mali and Mozambique are eager to establish themselves on the world stage and continue the momentum for African basketball.

Mali will go toe-to-toe in Mexico with Group A (dubbed the Mexican-based tournament's "Group of Death") opponents South Korea, Czechia, and Venezuela. At the same time, Mozambique will battle it out in Group B against the host nation Mexico, Montenegro, and New Zealand. Both African teams are determined to secure their spot in the next round of qualifiers but face a long road ahead.

‍Mali: A Redemption Mission in the Group of Death

• FIBA World Ranking: 20
• Group A Opponents: South Korea, Czechia, Venezuela

Mali enters the Pre-Qualifying Tournament with a reputation to rebuild. Following a disappointing performance at the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Australia, where they lost all five games, the West African nation is on a mission to redeem itself on the global stage. Placed in Group A, dubbed the "Group of Death", of the Mexico-based tournament, Mali will need to be at their best against top-tier teams like South Korea (13th), Czechia (23rd), and Venezuela (36th).

Rival Players to Watch:

• South Korea: Park Ji-hyun - An efficient dynamic guard with a versatile ability and skill set to score and facilitate for others.
• Czechia: Natalie Stoupalova - A strong presence in the paint, Stoupalova is known for her rebounding and shot-blocking abilities.
• Venezuela: Daniela Wallen - A prolific scorer and tenacious defender, Wallen is the engine of the Venezuelan team.

In 2022, Mali were thrust into the global spotlight when they took Nigeria's place at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup due to a government-imposed ban on Nigeria's teams. However, Mali struggled in that tournament, losing all five of their games, leading to widespread criticism, with many questioning whether they truly deserved their spot.

Determined to prove themselves, Mali bounced back at the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket, securing a third-place finish and silencing some of their critics. As they prepare for the Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Mexico, the team is on a mission to redeem themselves on the world stage.

Unfortunately, Mali will be without their WNBA star, Sika Koné, but they will be led by Djeneba N'Diaye. The former Caledonia Gladiator guard was Mali's top scorer at the AfroBasket 2023, and her experience will be crucial in navigating their tough group. Joining her in the backcourt is experienced 3X3 player Alima Dembele, who was the team's third-leading scorer at AfroBasket. Diana Balayera, a powerful presence in the paint, returns to the national setup following a season in France's LFB league for Charnay.
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Mali Player to Watch

• Djeneba N'Diaye: As one of the most experienced players on the team, Djeneba N'Diaye's background in the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament, as well as her recent season in the FIBA Women's EuroCup with the Caledonia Gladiators, will be crucial to Mali's success, particularly in their opening game against Czechia. N'Diaye's versatile skills will be essential in countering Czechia's half-court offence and South Korea's fast-paced play. During the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket, she averaged 14.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.0 steals per game.

Confirmed World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament Roster:

Djeneba N'Diaye, Alima Dembele, Sira Thienou, Mama Cisse, Elisabeth Dabou Kamite, Maimouna Haidara, Fatoumata Sanou, Assetou Sissoko, Diarrah Sissoko, Diana Balayera, Aissetou Coulibaly, Fanta Kone.

Mozambique: The Dark Horse of Group B

• FIBA World Ranking: 33
• Group B Opponents: Mexico, Montenegro, New Zealand

Mozambique enters the tournament as a dark horse, often underestimated but consistently performing well in regional competitions. After a solid fifth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket, Mozambique wants to make waves on the international stage. Drawn into Group B with host nation Mexico, Montenegro, and New Zealand, Mozambique is scheduled for a few tough games but undoubtedly has the talent to surprise their opponents.

‍Rival Players to Watch:

• Mexico: Claudia Ramos - A versatile forward with a solid all-around game, Ramos is the leader of the Mexican team.
• Montenegro: Natasha Mack - A defensive powerhouse in the paint, Mack is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor.
• New Zealand: Charlisse Leger-Walker - A dynamic guard who can score, facilitate, and defend at a high level.

Mozambique has consistently performed well in FIBA Women's AfroBasket, finishing in the top five, six-times since 2017. These Pre-Qualifiers will see them look to build on their fifth-place finish in AfroBasket 2023 as they take on their more highly-ranked opponents in Mexico.

‍Mozambique Player to Watch

• Tamara Seda: The veteran is poised to lead Mozambique's Pre-Qualifying campaign. A highly respected forward/center, she is a consistent double-double threat, having averaged 12.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals during the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket. Seda, a former standout at the University of Texas at El Paso, played for Kutxabank Araski in Spain's highly competitive Liga Femenina Endesa, one of the top women's basketball leagues in the world, where she averaged 8.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

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[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]