Brilliant Performance by African Teams
On the opening day of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 qualifying rounds, Rwanda and Senegal shone. Both teams delivered remarkable performances, setting a high standard for the tournament. The African teams competing in the qualifiers in Kigali emerged victorious in their respective games on Monday.
Challenging Victory for Senegal
In an exciting matchup, Senegal narrowly defeated Hungary, 63-61. The game was tough. Senegal achieved a challenging victory against the strong European player Ndioma Kane, who played a key role for the team, contributing significantly in both offense and defense. Kane scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, being essential for Senegal's first victory over a European team since the 2018 World Cup. The game featured 21 lead changes throughout.
Cierra Dillard also supported Kane, scoring 14 points and recording six assists. Additionally, Madjiguene Sene contributed 8 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. This collaboration was crucial for the team's performance. Despite the efforts of Debora Dubei, who led all scorers with 24 points, and Bernadett Hatar and Reka Lelik, who each added 10 points, Hungary failed in their attempt to secure a victory.
In the other game of the day, Rwanda delivered a dominant performance, defeating Lebanon 80-62 at the BK Arena. Bella Murekatete stood out for the home team, leading with 24 points and 7 rebounds. Former WNBA star Keisha Hampton also made a significant impact, scoring 21 points. The partnership between Murekatete and Hampton considerably strengthened the Rwandan team. Additionally, Assouma Uwizeye excelled defensively, while Ineza Sifa and Promise Philoxy scored 16 and 12 points, respectively. Philoxy also contributed with 12 assists.
The victories of Senegal and Rwanda on opening day set a positive tone for their campaigns in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 qualifying rounds. The performances demonstrated their potential and readiness as they continued their journey to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament.
