Johannesburg, South Africa — Excitement is building as the 2025 IWBF U23 Men’s Africa Championship gets set to tip off at the Mandeville Indoor Sports Center in Johannesburg from February 3–13, 2025. With a coveted ticket to the 2025 IWBF U23 Men’s World Championship in São Paulo, Brazil, up for grabs, the tournament promises to be a fierce battle of talent, determination, and national pride.
The Road to São Paulo
This championship serves as the African qualification tournament for the prestigious U23 World Championship. Originally set to feature six teams, the event was recently shaken by the withdrawal of Egypt, forcing a last-minute reshuffling of the fixture schedule. Nevertheless, hosts South Africa will now battle against Liberia, Kenya, Libya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo for the lone African slot at the world tournament.
The Sasol Amawheelieboys, South Africa’s U23 squad, have been rigorously preparing for the event, aiming to leverage home-court advantage and the backing of local supporters to claim continental supremacy. With the tournament streamed live on IWBF’s social media channels, the world will be watching as Africa’s best young wheelchair basketball players showcase their skills on the big stage.
Tournament Fixtures and Match-Ups
The competition gets underway on February 6, with Kenya and Libya kicking off proceedings at 14:00, followed by Liberia taking on DR Congo at 16:30. South Africa will make their tournament debut on Day 2 when they face DR Congo in what is expected to be a thrilling encounter. The round-robin phase continues until February 10, setting the stage for the semi-finals on February 11 and the grand final on February 12.
South Africa’s Mission: Claiming Continental Glory
Wheelchair Basketball South Africa (WBSA) has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the championship runs smoothly and provides a platform for young athletes to shine. The team has been fine-tuning its game, focusing on defensive discipline and attacking efficiency under the guidance of its coaching staff.
With the passionate South African crowd expected to pack the stands at Mandeville, the Sasol Amawheelieboys will be hoping to feed off the energy of their supporters. WBSA has urged fans to turn out in numbers to cheer on the national team, emphasizing the importance of home support in driving the team to victory.
Sponsors and Community Support
The championship has also seen strong corporate backing, with SASOL being the main sponsors of the team, and Oasis Water stepping in as a key sponsor by donating cases of still water to ensure that players and officials stay hydrated throughout the event. In return, Oasis Water will receive visibility across print media, social media, and the global livestream reaching 111 countries.
A Championship of Opportunity
Beyond the intense on-court action, the tournament will also feature essential components such as player eligibility testing, team classification, and technical and coaching workshops. These initiatives aim to further develop the sport across the continent, ensuring that African wheelchair basketball continues to grow in both competitiveness and recognition on the global stage.
As the clock ticks down to tip-off, South Africa stands at the center of African wheelchair basketball, with the hope of not only winning but also inspiring a new generation of athletes. With history and a place at the World Championship on the line, the Sasol Amawheelieboys are ready to leave everything on the court.
For South Africa, this tournament is more than just a qualification event—it is a statement of intent. Can they rise to the occasion and secure their place among the world’s best? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Johannesburg is about to witness wheelchair basketball at its finest.
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