Laetitia Sahie Shines as Côte d’Ivoire Stun Egypt in AfroBasket Women 2025 Opener on Home Soil

Laetitia Sahie Shines as Côte d’Ivoire Stun Egypt in AfroBasket Women 2025 Opener on Home Soil

Côte d’Ivoire opened their 2025 Women’s Afrobasket campaign in style, defeating Egypt 75-63 in front of a roaring home crowd at the Palais des Sports de Treichville. It was a statement performance from the hosts, led by Laetitia Sahie’s explosive 23-point showcase, as the Ivorians secured their first win of the tournament and reminded the continent they are not just hosts  they are contenders.

Sahie, calm under pressure and clinical in execution, was everywhere. The Ivorian guard dazzled with her footwork, broke down the Egyptian defense with ease, and delivered field goal masterclass. The combined efforts of the team sumed up an efficient 57% from the field, embodying the confidence of a team determined to defend its soil.

The game started as a tightly contested affair, with Egypt’s physicality on full display in the opening minutes. But as the first half wore on, Côte d’Ivoire found their rhythm, and when they did, they hit fast-forward. A stunning 18-0 run in the first quarter flipped the script and put the Ivorians firmly in control. That run, sparked by Sahie’s scoring and the inside dominance of Kariyata Diaby, turned a close game into an uphill battle for the Egyptians.

Diaby, the Ivorian center, played a pivotal role with a hard-earned double-double  12 points and 10 rebounds  and anchored the paint with both presence and poise.

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But Egypt didn’t go quietly. In the third quarter, they showed signs of life, slicing a 17-point deficit down to just nine. The comeback charge was led by Raheem Elgedawy, who battled through the Ivorian defense for her own double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds. For a moment, the crowd held its breath as Egypt threatened to make it a game again.

However, that brief momentum faded as Côte d’Ivoire tightened up defensively and reestablished control. Egypt’s offense struggled all night with consistency, shooting just 32% from the field. Turnovers, missed layups, and poor decision-making in transition made their comeback efforts fall short.

They took us out of the court,

lamented Egypt’s head coach, Julian Martinez.

“We did not play by the book.

The Ivorians, on the other hand, showed cohesion and hunger. Their shot selection was sharp, their passing crisp, and their hustle unmatched. Every time Egypt tried to mount a challenge, someone in orange stepped up whether it was Sahie or Kaiser from the perimeter, Diaby in the paint, or the collective defensive pressure that made every Egyptian possession a battle.

The victory sends a clear message: Côte d’Ivoire is here not just to participate, but to dominate. With their home fans behind them and their confidence rising, questions are already being asked across the continent.

Can Côte d’Ivoire defend the land and keep the title in Abidjan?

It’s too early to make bold predictions, but one thing is certain — with Sahie in this kind of form, Diaby anchoring the paint, and the crowd at their backs, the Elephants are a team to fear.

Their next matchup will test their consistency, but after tonight’s performance, few would bet against them. For now, the host nation can bask in a winning start — one built on pride, power, and precision.