bird’s basketball roundup: After the Olympics, the focus is on the World Cup

Rwanda and Senegal eye 2026 World Cup spots, a recap of Basketball Without Borders Camp and Nairobi City Thunder adds key player, as African Basketball moves beyond a thrilling Olympics campaign.

Silalei Shani, bird story agency

The pre-qualifying tournament for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup kicked off this month in Kigali, Rwanda and Mexico City, Mexico. Winners from each of the tournaments will proceed to the World Cup Qualifiers.

The Rwanda edition kicked off on the 19th of August and will run until the 25th of at Kigali’s BK Arena, where 8 teams are competing for only 1 spot in the global qualifiers.

Two African teams, including Rwanda and Senegal, are participating in Kigali. Rwanda qualified as hosts and is competing in Group D against Great Britain, Lebanon, and Argentina. Senegal is battling it out in Group C against the Philippines, Hungary and Brazil.

The two started the tournament well, registering wins in their openers on the back of an impressive performance of African teams at the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Senegal edged out top-seeded Hungary, 63-61, recording their first win against a European opponent since the 2018 World Cup. Senegal is ranked 3rd in the tournament’s power rankings. Rwanda, on the other end, took down Lebanon, 80-62. Bella Murekatete achieved a high-tier performance, finishing with a game-high 24 points and 7 rebounds.

Rwanda is also backed by former WNBA star Keisha Hampton, who finished the game with 21 points. The duo has made a huge difference for Rwanda’s national team as they enter the tournament as the “underdogs.” They still have the potential to surprise a few teams, as was demonstrated in their game against Lebanon. All games are streamed live on FIBA’s official YouTube page.

Down South, the 20th edition of the annual Basketball Without Borders Africa Camp took place earlier in the month at the American International School of Johannesburg from August 3rd to the 6th.

30 male and 30 female high school age prospects from across more than 20 African countries flew in to South Africa for the camp to learn from current and former NBA and WNBA players, legends and coaches, including former WNBA MVP and four-time defensive player of the year, Sylvia Fowles.

2022 NBA Champion Moses Moody from the Golden State Warriors was also present, among others. For Moody, who doubled up as a coach, the camp was about much more than just winning games.

“I’m telling them, I’m glad y’all are here. I want you to see this as an opportunity … I don’t care as much about winning and losing in these games. It’s about you guys capitalizing on this opportunity,” Moody said at a press conference.

“And the basketball capacity, showing your talent and doing it that way, but also through connections, through the people here, learning that way. That’s really been my message to my guys.”

Camp began with drills and workouts before getting right into games, and after the camp concluded, awards such as MVP, defensive MVP, sportsmanship award, most improved player and 3-point champion were given to both the boys and the girls who earned the honors.

Basketball Without Borders Africa has been instrumental in identifying and developing talents like Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam, Gorgui Dieng and Christian Koloko, who have advanced and thrived in the NBA.

In East African news, Kenya National Basketball Premier League Champions, Nairobi City Thunder, are determined to continue their winning ways through the signing of 33-year-old Kenyan international forward, Tylor Ongwae, who played most recently at Niners Chemnitz in the German BBL league.

Ongwae has also played in top leagues across Denmark, Italy, Ivory Coast, New Zealand, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden and the USA. The 6’7 power forward will bring a wealth of international experience and will be a valuable addition to Thunder as they prepare for the Road to BAL tournament that is an entry point to the top-flight African league, the Basketball Africa League.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to play for the reigning champions in my home country,” Ongwae shared his enthusiasm at a recent photo shoot.

“I am eager to contribute to the team’s winning culture and bring my best to the court in every game. I share the team’s ambition to make history and compete at the highest level in Africa.”

With this personnel addition, fans can anticipate another championship league run for Nairobi City Thunder and a season of dynamic play and heightened defense.

bird story agency