Kenya’s Under-21 men’s and women’s 3×3 basketball teams lit up the opening day of the FIBA Youth Nations League-Africa 2 championship in Algeria, sinking Benin in back-to-back victories to announce their continental ambitions in style.

The country’s U-21 national women’s 3×3 basketball team started the championship on a good note, trouncing their Benin counterparts 18-9 in a Pool B encounter during the ten-day championship that kicked off in Algeria on July 31, 2025, and concludes on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

Similarly, Kenya’s U-21 national men’s team replicated their compatriots’ sterling efforts, walloping the Benin outfit 19-11 in Pool B matches, according to championship results availed on August 4, 2025, to People Sport by Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Secretary-General Angela Luchivya.

During other opening day matches, hosts Algeria’s women’s side hammered Comoros 21-5 in a Pool A match, and the host nation’s men’s side drowned Comoros 21-11.

In another match, the Egyptian women’s team defeated Comoros 21-2, and their male counterparts also edged out Comoros 21-15.

Hosts Algeria’s women’s side were stunned 10-22 by Egypt; however, the host nation’s men’s team atoned for the defeat their female compatriots suffered by trouncing Egypt 19-16.

Algeria’s women’s side proceeded to beat Benin 16-4, and the Egyptian men’s team edged out Benin 18-14, as the Egyptian women’s outfit overcame the Kenyan side 21-12, while Algeria’s men’s team narrowly pipped Kenya 22-18 during the championship featuring five countries: Comoros, Kenya, Algeria, Egypt and Benin.

Speaking to People Sports from Algeria’s capital city, Algiers, KBF Secretary General Angela Luchivya stated, “The FIBA continental championship is a key platform under FIBA’s global youth development structure, providing invaluable international exposure to emerging basketball talent.”

She continued, “Kenya’s participation in the league is not just about competition; it is a strategic investment in the future, contributing directly to our national ranking and qualification pathway for major global competitions, among them the World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

“The championship will also help sharpen the players’ tactical adaptability, physical endurance and team chemistry against some of Africa’s top basketball 3×3 nations.”

Luchivya said KBF is also committed to nurturing elite youth talent and establishing Kenya as a consistent powerhouse in international 3×3 basketball.

Kenya’s U-21 national women’s team comprises Susan Asami from Zetech Sparks, Yvette Okozi from Africa Nazarene University (ANU), Consolata Odhiambo (Strathmore Swords), Ninel Meegesh (United States International University-Africa Flames), Marshar Ooko (Zetech Sparks) and Babra Achien from Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

The country’s national men’s 3×3 basketball team features David Gichohi from Ball Academy based in Switzerland, David Etyang from Strathmore Blades, Patrick Ndung’u and Robert Otieno both from Strathmore Blades, Billy Nyongesa from Coastal Kings and Brian Musembu from the World Hope basketball team.

Coach Eunice Ouma is handling the national women’s team in Algeria, while Tonny Ochieng’ is in charge of the men’s side.