Madagascar has been drawn into Group B alongside Mali, Morocco, and Gabon for the U18 AfroBasket, scheduled to take place from August 5 to 16 in Abidjan. The Ankoay must fight to finish in the top three to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Mali enters as the clear favorite, boasting a strong track record as three-time continental champions. Meanwhile, Madagascar returns to the competition with a formidable profile, leading the group in both offensive and defensive statistics. Morocco relies on a well-organized defense, while Gabon brings significant physical intensity to the court.
The tournament format allows the top two teams from each group, plus the two best third-placed teams, to advance to the knockout stages. Coach Andry Rakotomanantsoa emphasized that while the goal is to reach the quarterfinals, the team must remain focused on their scouting and preparation to navigate the challenges posed by their opponents.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-04 05:53:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/afrobasket-u18-les-ankoay-heritent-dun.html