Senegal opened AfroBasket Women 2025 in style, thrashing Guinea 92-48 in Abidjan. Ndioma Kané led a dominant team performance as Senegal’s defense suffocated Guinea and sent a powerful early warning to tournament contenders.
Last Updated on
July 26, 2025
Senegal opened their FIBA AfroBasket Women 2025 campaign with a commanding 92-48 win over Guinea this afternoon, Saturday July 26, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The 11-time champions made an emphatic statement, controlling the game from tip-off to the final buzzer. Senegal's effort was spearheaded by four players in double figures, with Ndioma Kané leading the way.
Kané filled the stat sheet with 20 points, seven rebounds, five blocks, and four steals in a statement two-way performance. Sokhna Ndiaye added 16 points, four rebounds, and four steals, while the bench duo of Lena Timera and Khadija Faye each chipped in with 10 points to keep the pressure on throughout.
Senegal's defensive intent was clear from the start. They held Guinea to 15 points in the opening quarter while pouring in 24 of their own. The second quarter saw even greater control as they limited Guinea to 13 points and built a 47-28 halftime lead.
Guinea showed some fight in the third quarter, holding Senegal to just 13 points. However, the West African underdogs could not capitalize offensively, adding just 14 of their own.
Senegal then turned the screws in the fourth. Their stifling full-court defense allowed just six points, while they exploded for 32 points, closing the game dominantly.
After the game, Guinea's Masseny Kaba, who led her side with 19 points and six rebounds, acknowledged the challenges her team faced entering the tournament.
"For me, I will say that is the difference in preparation," Kaba said during the post-game press conference. "[For one team that] had been training and practising with each other for two months, compared to [us who have only] had ten days with each other. Not to say that, they are better than us."
Guinea's buildup to the tournament was disrupted by multiple setbacks, including limited training time and player availability issues linked to U.S. visa delays. Kaba also committed seven turnovers—reflective of Guinea's lack of cohesion.
Senegal, in contrast, looked sharp, organized, and locked in defensively. The team finished with 53 total rebounds and 27 assists, asserting their dominance on the glass and in transition.
The victory sent a clear message to the rest of Group B—and the tournament at large—that Senegal remains a force in African women's basketball.
In the post-game press conference, Senegal veteran Yacine Diop highlighted the team's renewed identity with many new faces on the roster.
"Yes! I think we are trying to make it our identity," Diop said. "To be aggressive, and to press the ball forward. You are going to see that a lot from our team."
Senegal's aggressive full-court play and balanced scoring underscored that commitment. Despite some lulls in the third quarter, their performance was polished and indicative of a team aiming for its first AfroBasket title since 2015.
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