The Ankoays, ready to write a new story

After the historic feat of 2024, the Ankoay men kings of Africa and the Ankoay ladies queens of Africa are putting their crown back on the line. The Malagasy Basketball Federation has chosen the 8 elements who will carry out this mission from today until Sunday at the Mahamasina Sports Palace. 24 teams are taking part in this continental game, 10 for the ladies and 14 for the men

The Ankoay ladies aim for a second title

The Ankoay ladies 3×3 are preparing to defend their title at home and a second continental coronation after 2024. The Malagasy team displays intact determination and a solid state of mind at the start of the competition. Carried by the momentum of their first coronation, they want to prove that their success was not a coincidence. For several weeks, the players have been doing intensive sessions at the Mahamasina Sports Palace. “ The objective is clear: keep the title », confides one of the federal technicians and underlines that the cohesion of the group will be the key in a competition where each possession can change a match.

Despite a strong field, with the Egyptians, Algerians and Kenyans, the Malagasy quartet approaches the tournament with serenity. Their defensive aggressiveness and their formidable ability to accelerate in transition have already proven themselves. The team is made up of experienced players like Christiane Jaofera Minaoharisoa and Sydonie Marie Erica Andriamihajanirina, who won the title in 2024 and two new faces Tokin’Iaina Sambatrarimiora and Ravaka Sarobidy Randriatahiana. A mix well thought out by the technical management to carry the Big Island to a second continental coronation and confirm their status among the great emerging powers of African basketball. The Mahamasina public will fervently rediscover the reigning MVP, Christiane Jaofera, the true soul of this team, whose vision of the game and aggressiveness made the difference last year. After a bronze medal in 2022, won in Egypt, the Ankoay ladies won their first historic African champion title, won in an indescribable atmosphere against the Egyptian favorites.

The Ankoay men in search of a third star

You don’t change a winning team. This is the bet of the Malagasy Basketball Federation (FMBB) which is renewing the magic quartet for the FIBA 3×3 Africa Cup 2025. Starting tomorrow, the Mahamasina Sports Palace is preparing to vibrate to the rhythm of the exploits of Elly, Livio, Arnol and Anthony, in search of a third continental star. The objective is clear, clear and precise: retain the title and win a historic third African coronation, thus confirming the supremacy of the Big Island in continental 3×3 basketball. For this commando mission, the technical staff chose the stability card. No surprises in the list of those selected: the Federation has renewed its confidence in the heroes of the last edition. We will therefore find the essential Livio Ratianarivo, reigning MVP and true metronome of the team, supported by the elite gunner Elly Randriamampionona, whose award-winning shots have saved the day so many times. The power in the racket will be provided by the colossus Arnol Solondrainy, while the versatility of Anthony Rasolomanana will complete this well-oiled system. This cohesion, forged in pain and glory, will be the Malagasy’s number one asset against opponents who dream of bringing down the champion at home. The love affair between this generation and the Africa Cup began in 2022 in Cairo (Egypt). Against all odds, Madagascar defied the odds to win its first historic title, winning against the Egyptian pharaohs on their land.

If the 2023 edition left a taste of unfinished business with a bronze medal (3rd place) in Cairo after a tight semi-final, the Livio gang set the record straight the following year. In 2024, at home, in a bustling Mahamasina Sports Palace, they reconquered their throne brilliantly, thus offering themselves their second continental star. This year, the goal is to pass three. A third gold medal would definitively place Madagascar in the pantheon of African 3×3, just behind Egypt.

T.H

The participants

Women’s category

Madagascar

Benign

Uganda

Rwanda

Egypt

Kenya

RD Congo

Tunisia

Botswana

Comoros

Pool A: Uganda, Madagascar, Egypt, Tunisia, DR Congo
Pool B: Benin, Kenya, Rwanda, Comoros, Botswana

Male category

Madagascar

Algeria