Experienced Coach Returns to the Lionesses

Dakar — Cheikh Sarr has been named head coach of the Senegal women’s national basketball team for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament, the country’s Basketball Federation announced. Sarr replaces Otis Hughley Jr., who previously led the team.

Sarr is a familiar face to the Senegalese program, having previously coached the team at both the continental and world levels. He most recently coached Rwanda’s senior national teams (men and women) until August 2025.

Qualifying Tournament Details

Senegal will compete in Group A of the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament, which takes place from March 11–17 in Puerto Rico. They will face a challenging group including hosts Puerto Rico, reigning world champions USA, Spain, New Zealand and Italy.

The team completed their preparation camp in Dakar on Friday at the Marius Ndiaye stadium under the direction of Coach Sarr.

To qualify for the final phase of the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 in Berlin, teams must finish in one of the first three places in their qualifying tournament.

The matches will be played in a round-robin format, with each team facing every other team in their group, resulting in five matches per team.

Roster Announced

Coach Sarr has announced the following 13 players selected for the qualifying tournament:

• Victorine Thiaw (Tournefeuille Basket / France)
• Marie Diamé (Roche Vendée Basket / France)
• Léna Timéra (Nice Cavigal Basket / France)
• Ndioma Kane (ZKK Cinkarna Celje / Slovenia)
• Yacine Diop (APR Rwanda / Rwanda)
• Mathilde Aicha Diop (Gdrar / Portugal)
• Aminata Ly (Sporting Bkennaya / Lebanon)
• Fatou Pouye (CB Sevilla / Spain)
• Sabou Guèye (Providence College / USA)
• Néné Awa Ndiaye (Rutgers University / USA)
• Khadija Faye (IDK EUSKOTREN / Spain)
• Sokhna Ndiaye (AS Montferrand Basket / France)
• Mame Khoudia Fall (ASC Ville de Dakar / Senegal)

Looking Ahead

Senegal is aiming for their first World Cup appearance since 2018. As the Senegalese Basketball Federation noted, Cheikh Sarr is an experienced coach and an expert in African basketball. He brings with him an ambitious vision, a renowned work ethic and a strong performance culture.”

Host nation Germany, along with the winners of the FIBA Women’s Continental Cups 2025, Australia, Belgium, Nigeria and the United States, have already qualified for the final tournament, but will still participate in the qualifying tournaments.