Funding Delay Puts Liberia’s U18 Basketball Team at Risk of Missing Zone 3 Qualifiers

Published: July 3, 2026

MONROVIA — Liberia’s U18 Men’s National Basketball Team could miss the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone 3 Qualifiers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, because of delays in government funding.

The team is scheduled to depart Friday for the tournament, which tips off July 4. However, as of press time, the Liberia Basketball Association (LBA) said it had not received the financial support needed to make the trip.

The LBA submitted its travel budget to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which forwarded it to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning for approval.

“We communicated the budget for the trip to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and it is now before the Ministry of Finance for approval,” LBA National League Board Chairman James Emmanuel Potter said. “If we receive the funds on Thursday or Friday, the team will travel. If not, we will notify FIBA of our withdrawal.”

Despite the uncertainty, the LBA has named a 13-player squad for the tournament.

The roster features nine players who represented Liberia’s U16 national team, while four players are set to make their international debut.

Head coach Gaye Tuanzama will lead the team, assisted by Edwin Nus Subah Jr. Teddy Bangura will serve as trainer, while Martin K. Adu is the team manager.

Liberia is drawn alongside host Burkina Faso, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana in the Zone 3 qualifiers, which will run through July 17 at the Ouaga Sports Palace 2000. The tournament champion will secure the region’s lone berth at the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Championship, scheduled for Aug. 3-16.

Liberia U18 Boys National Team

Alvin Vonleh (Bushrod Dreams), Abraham Mulbah (D14 Warriors), Cyrus Gaye (G-Highlanders), David Evans (G-Highlanders), David Leabon (Global Pythons), Cliff Hall (Knight Reapers), Ousman Kaiza (Knight Reapers), Samuel Pearson (Heats), Ericson Cooper (G-Highlanders), Kamara K. Kosso (Crew Basketball, Europe), Edward Coleman (Destiny Kings), Othello Sherman (Phoenix Knights) and Uriah Nyanford (Paynesville Bulldogs).