THE stage is set for another exciting chapter in African wheelchair basketball as the 2026 IWBF Africa Senior Men and Women Championships get underway in Luanda from 27 March to 4 April
This prestigious continental event serves as the official African Championship for senior national teams, and forms a key part of the qualification pathway to the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships in Ottawa.
The South African team departed on Saturday and have now arrived in Angola, ready to compete against the continent’s best in what promises to be a highly competitive tournament.
With national pride and global qualification at stake, preparations have been intense as teams look to make their mark on the African stage.
Head coach Siphamandla Gumbi said that the team’s focus heading into the competition, stating that their primary objective is to successfully execute their game plan throughout the tournament.
His comments reflect a disciplined and performance-driven approach as the team looks to translate preparation into results on court.
The senior championships follow closely on the heels of the 2026 IWBF U25 Women’s Africa Championships, which took place in Kinshasa from 17–20 March. The tournament, hosted by the Fédération Congolaise de Basketball sur Fauteuil, featured four national teams—DR Congo, Kenya, Liberia, and South Africa—competing for continental honours and a coveted place on the world stage.
Host nation DR Congo delivered a dominant performance to secure qualification for the 2027 IWBF U25 Women’s World Championship. However, the five days of competition also highlighted the steady growth of the women’s game across the continent, with Kenya, South Africa, and Liberia showcasing significant development, resilience, and the increasing strength of women’s wheelchair basketball in Africa.
Nozipho Mlambo, Sasol Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorships said:
“At Sasol, we are incredibly proud to support the continued growth of wheelchair basketball across the African continent. These back-to-back championships not only highlight the depth of talent emerging from Africa but also reinforce the importance of creating platforms for athletes to compete at the highest level,” she said.
“As the senior teams take to the court in Luanda, we remain committed to empowering these athletes to showcase their abilities on the global stage and to inspire the next generation to live the impossible.”
Together, these back-to-back tournaments signal a powerful moment for the sport on the continent—one that reflects both rising competitiveness and a growing pipeline of talent. As attention now turns to Luanda, Africa’s top senior teams are ready to build on that momentum and continue pushing the boundaries of excellence on the international stage.
