The Ivorians made their debut in the age-group continental competition in Mozambique 2013, playing for a sixth-place finish in the 8-team tournament, and are returning with hopes of going further. Guinea, on their part are returning after their 2023 debut.
Last Updated on
September 4, 2025
Sixteen-year-old Jane Mary Diomande was the revelation as the young Elephantes of Côte d'Ivoire made a stunning return to the FIBA U16 Women's AfroBasket tournament after a 12-year absence.
Up against Guinea in their Group B opening match, the Thoms Hilaire Thano N'da-coached side recovered from a slow start to dominate for a 74-34 win, Diomande coming a steal short of a triple-double.
The teenage sensation, who did not get fired up until the second quarter, stood tall amongst peers, finishing with a game-high 24 points, adding 12 rebounds for a double-double. She finished with 3 steals more than teammate Fatima Konate who contributed six to the team's 27.
Hawa Bah might have given Guinea the lead early with a turnaround jumper for 2-0, Mariama Barry's pull up three from down town extending their lead to 5-3, after Gnaman Ella Koné opened the scoring for the Ivorians.
Barry and Kadiatou Kaba continued Guinea's onslaught to see the side lead 12-6 with just under four minutes of play in the opening quarter, but Cote d'Ivoire went on a 9-1 run to lead 15-13 heading to the break.
There was little to show for both teams in the opening three and a half minutes of the second quarter but Adja Fatoumata Noura Yasmine Traoré scored five quick points, Diomande adding four to see the Ivorians lead 24-14 halfway through the stanza. The difference remained at 30-20 but Thano N'da's charges scored 8 down the stretch to lead 38-20 heading to the halftime break.
Restricting Guinea to just 7 points in the second quarter seemed to have unlocked a confidence the Ivorians had not displayed in the opening quarter and another 8-1 run in the opening two minutes of the third quarter to lead 46-23 all but confirmed the final result.
Mawa Soumah got a free throw as the quarter got underway but Guinea could not break Cote d'Ivoire's defense, with several empty possessions also to blame for their poor run. Barry and Kaba's contribution could only hand Mohamed Fode Kourouma's charges five more points for a 18-6 quarter, heading to the final stanza trailing 56-26.
The young Elephantes kept the fight going in the final quarter, despite enjoying the massive advantage, going on an 18-8 run to seal their victory.
Victory for the returnees is a huge confidence boost ahead of group clashes against record-time champions Mali, unbeaten since competition inception, and 2023 bronze medalists Angola.
