The Zone 3 qualifiers for the 2023 edition of the Women's Afro basket will be hosted in Abidjan, the Capital of Cote d'Ivoire, FIBA Africa has announced. The regional qualifier will take place from June 30 until July 2, according to FIBA Africa's Competitions Department. Except for Liberia, the national teams of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Niger and Togo will attempt to pick a ticket to join Nigeria which automatically qualified as defending champions. Zone 3 countries will be seeking to reach the final round of the 2023 Women's AfroBasket, marking the 26th edition of the tournament to be held from 28 July to 6 August 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda. ALSO READ: Rwanda inks deal to host 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket So far, teams qualified for the 2023 Women's AfroBasket are Nigeria, Mali, Cameroon, Senegal, DR Congo, Egypt, Mozambique and hosts Rwanda. The biennial Women's AfroBasket final will determine which teams make it to the FIBA Women's World Cup African Qualifiers and the Pre-Olympic Olympic Qualifiers. Two years ago, Nigeria won a third consecutive Women's AfroBasket title courtesy of a 70-59 victory against Mali in Yaounde, Cameroon. While Nigeria will be aiming for a straight fourth title in the Final Round, Cote d'Ivoire will be attempting to gain a 15th appearance and better their 7th place finish at the 2013 and 2021 editions. In FIBA Africa Zone 3, Ghana had their best outing in 1997 with a bronze to their credit. They will attempt to make a comeback for a 4th appearance in the Final Round. ALSO READ: Rwanda to host 2023 Afrobasket Women’s tourney Niger had two appearances, in 2000 and 2005, finishing 10th and 8th, respectively. Togo had four appearances with a bronze, in 1977, as their best outing. This is the fourth regional qualifier for the Women's AfroBasket after Zones 4, 5, and 6 wrapped up their qualifiers. Zones 1, 2, and 7 are yet to organize their qualifying tournaments.
