Rwanda’s REG and Tanzania’s Fox Divas make winning starts as the race for December’s continental finals gathers momentum.
KIBAHA, Tanzania — The race for places at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) finals has begun in Tanzania, with leading clubs from East Africa competing for qualification to the continent’s premier women’s club basketball championship.
The Zone 5 qualifying tournament, scheduled from October 17 to 24, brings together eight clubs from Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania, with two places available at the continental finals in Cairo, Egypt, from December 11 to 20.
Rwanda’s REG and Tanzania’s Fox Divas opened their campaigns with victories on Saturday, setting an early competitive tone at the Filbert Bayi Olympafrica Centre in Kibaha.
American guard Kayana Traylor produced the standout individual performance of the opening day, scoring 37 points as REG overturned a 15-point deficit to defeat Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 95–79.
Traylor converted seven three-pointers, while South Sudanese international Delicia Washington added 29 points. REG dominated the final quarter 35–12, turning a difficult contest into a convincing victory.
KPA’s Tonie Morgan recorded 13 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds, but the Kenyan side could not contain REG’s late offensive surge.
In the day’s other encounter, Tanzania’s Fox Divas secured a 65–60 victory over Burundi’s Dynamo, giving the home supporters an encouraging start to the competition.
Ugandan guard Evelyne Nakiyingi led the Tanzanian side with 16 points, including four successful three-point attempts from five, while Jescal Julius Ngisaise and Hope Akelo contributed 13 and 12 points respectively.
The victories put REG and Fox Divas in promising positions as the group-stage competition continues, although both teams face further tests before qualification can be secured.
Eight Clubs Compete for Two Places
The Zone 5 tournament features Kenya’s KPA and Equity Bank, Rwanda’s REG and APR, Burundi’s Dynamo and Les Hippos, and Tanzania’s Fox Divas and Vijana Queens.
With only two qualifying places available, the competition is expected to be particularly demanding for clubs seeking to establish themselves among Africa’s leading women’s basketball teams.
Attention now turns to Monday’s Group A fixtures, with KPA scheduled to face Dynamo before REG meet Fox Divas.
For the Kenyan clubs, the tournament offers another opportunity to demonstrate the strength of their domestic basketball programmes, while Rwanda’s representatives will look to build on their growing competitiveness in regional club competitions.
The presence of teams from four countries also reflects the increasing importance of cross-border competition in providing African women basketball players with exposure to different playing styles and higher levels of competition.
Continental Qualification Race Extends Across Africa
The East African tournament is the first of several regional qualifying competitions that will determine the line-up for December’s championship.
Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, is scheduled to host the Zone 4 qualifiers from October 24 to 28, with six clubs competing for two places.
The Zone 3 tournament is expected to take place in Monrovia, Liberia, from November 4 to 8, bringing together clubs from West Africa.
Luanda, Angola, is also scheduled to host Zone 6 qualification, featuring clubs from Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.
Egyptian clubs Al Ahly Sporting Club and Sporting Club Alexandria have already secured automatic places at the final tournament.
A Growing Platform for African Women’s Basketball
Beyond the immediate contest for qualification, the Women’s Basketball League Africa continues to provide an important competitive platform for female basketball players across the continent.
The championship brings together established clubs and emerging programmes, offering players opportunities to compete internationally and attract attention beyond their domestic leagues.
However, the development of women’s club basketball in Africa remains closely linked to investment in coaching, professional structures, financial support and regular competition.
For clubs operating with limited resources, participation in regional qualifiers can represent both a significant financial commitment and an important step towards stronger international competition.
The opening performances in Tanzania have already demonstrated the quality of talent available in African women’s basketball, with players from Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan contributing to an entertaining start.
As the qualification campaign continues, the immediate objective remains clear: securing a place among the continent’s leading clubs when the WBLA finals begin in Cairo in December.
