GROUP 4 – BOTSWANA, GHANA, KENYA, NAMIBIA, SOUTH AFRICA, ZAMBIA
BOTSWANA – Dabilo Moses. This model lists poetry and styling as among her passions. As Africa’s second new entry, she gives justice to her country’s past pageant achievements. Among this year’s newcomers, she has the best shot by far – granted, of course, the mainstays don’t outshine her.
GHANA – Helen Demey Matey. Last year’s candidate made the cut by winning the Supra-Influencer Challenge. This year’s candidate isn’t up for any fast track, so a back-to-back placement might be a stretch.
KENYA – Martha Mwikali. Just like Ghana’s case, last year’s Kenyan entry propelled into the Top 12 via the Supra Fan Vote. This year’s isn’t up for any fast track either, so the placement streak may be at risk.
NAMIBIA – Romiley Hoffmann. Her distinct traits are her Zozibini Tunzi buzz cut and the gap between her front teeth, which can count as appealing in some cases. She’ll likely earn attention, given that her country’s still in the Supra-Radar after Chanique Rabe’s victory, though a fourth consecutive placement feels less certain.
SOUTH AFRICA – Ayanda Thabethe. There were early reports that recent Miss Universe placer Ndavi Nokeri was going to cross over, but here in her place is her national runner-up. This nutritionist is a worthy follow-up, who articulated her way into the next Supra-Chat round. Factor in her other striking qualities, and a three-peat placement seems set in stone.
ZAMBIA – Candy Matthews. At 33, she’s the eldest in the bunch and, obviously, has the expanded age limit to thank. While she’ll likely garner points from interview, following through last year’s close shot* might be a struggle.
*- Her predecessor, Savina Mushinge, came very close to making the cut at 25th place. Interestingly, she’s about to give Miss USA a shot as Maryland’s representative.
GROUP 5 – COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, EL SALVADOR, MEXICO, NICARAGUA, PARAGUAY, VENEZUELA
COLOMBIA – Valentina Mora. As the Señorita Colombia franchise carries on without the Universe franchise, it continues to field its winners elsewhere. Curiously though, they sent the 1st Runner-Up instead this year. Whatever the case, this social communication major is just as qualified to secure another lofty placement. She also qualified for the Miss Supra-Model fast track.
ECUADOR- Andrea Aguilera. She’s not to be confused with her Colombian namesake, who took both Miss World and Miss Earth by storm last year. And, besides, this international business student had already left an indelible mark herself, having finished 1st Runner-Up in Miss Grand International 2021. Lack of fast-track nods aside, she’ll still likely go far. Whether or not she can finish what she started, though, remains the question. As of now, there are far many frontrunners to ascertain a win.
EL SALVADOR – Luciana Martínez. Some might argue that she’s more competitive than 2021 Top 24 placer Linda Sibrian, but hasn’t enjoyed the same buzz.
MEXICO – Vanessa López. This country did come close to winning twice before, with Top Five placements in 2013 and 2015. This model-actress-podcast host is worthy of the same tier, but faces even tougher odds.
NICARAGUA – Katherine Burgos Reyes. Despite entering the race with minimal buzz, she toppled the Latin early favorites in this Supra-Chat group. Surely, that earned her added mileage. An upset wouldn’t be far-fetched.
PARAGUAY – Fabiola Martínez. It’s interesting how this country beat the likes of Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela to winning first Miss Supranational crown for South America. Though not an initial favorite, this 30-year-old already has a shot at instant placement as a Supra-Influencer Challenge finalist.
VENEZUELA – Selene Delgado. It doesn’t matter if she shares a name with the subject of an urban legend. If anything, puts that moniker in a better light. She’s poised to continue the tradition of easy Venezuelan placements, but the crown itself is not yet assured. As early as now, many other favorites are gaining ground.
GROUP 6 – CAMEROON, COTE D’IVOIRE, GUATEMALA, HAITI, MAURITIUS, TOGO
CAMEROON – Kevine Ghomba. This country finally marks its return since placing for the first time in 2019. While fashionable and stylish, this CEO is not projected to follow Angele Kossinda’s footsteps. One thing’s for sure, her Mister Supranational counterpart has better chances.
COTE D’IVOIRE – Yasmine Wognin. It goes without saying that Ivory Coast clearly leveled up its playing field lately. Just look at its recent Miss World reps. While that luck has yet to rub off in this arena, its recent Supra-candidates have been turning heads as well. And, who knows, this business law student might finally be given a shot. She was up for Miss Supra-Model Africa.
GUATEMALA – Naida Estubier. Just like Portugal, this model might as well don the French sash as well, given her lineage and accent. She’s not the Nadia Ferreira clone as her pre-arrival photos suggested, but she’s just as gorgeous and can still possibly pull an upset. She can make a play for the Top 12, even if some fans don’t quite see it yet.
HAITI – Merlie Fleurizard. Being overage may have cost her a shot at Miss International before, but, doors have re-opened thanks to the new rules. This 32-year-old attorney dominated her Supra-Chat group with her gift of gab, but her defining moment was her risqué and avant garde gown performance. She wore a veil draped strategically over her right chest; giving the illusion that she was wearing nothing underneath.
MAURITIUS – Nilmani Devi Hurlall. Just like Alex Belle-Etoile before her, her Miss Universe journey has been predetermined. While a solid contender, she doesn’t have the same edge as her Top 12-placing predecessor. In her case, the struggle might already begin here.
TOGO – Mathilde Honyiglo. This marketing graduate was originally set to compete last year, but a visa problem forced her to withdraw after her Supra-Chat appearance. It’s great to see her actualize her second shot with improved prospects. She can be a worthy surprise, granted she overcomes the early favorites.
GROUP 7 – CANADA, CAYMAN ISLANDS, CURAÇAO, JAMAICA, NIGERIA, THE BAHAMAS, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
CANADA – Alexa Marie Grant. As it stands, it looks she’ll be the first Canadian to advance since Siera Bearchell placed second in 2015. Aside from having the looks, this Scottish-Filipina model also qualified for the Supra-Influencer and Supra-Chat fast tracks. And judging from her 11th hour Talent nod, she’s obviously in the good graces of the powers-that-be. Another fun tidbit: her Mister Supranational counterpart is renowned pageant blogger is Luis Portelles.
CAYMAN ISLANDS – Melissa Bridgemohan. This recent children’s book author has heaps of charm and passion but expect the usual result for this British territory. Whatever the case, it’s always nice to welcome a newcomer.
CURAÇAO – Andreina Pereira. Since Gabriela dos Santos made a splash in Miss Universe last January, this island’s prospects never shone brighter. And fun fact: this management graduate was Gabriela’s 2nd Runner-Up in nationals. Conceivably, she can follow her batchmate’s lead, granted they save room for her up there.
JAMAICA – Thalia Malcolm. This writer has the effervescence becoming of a Jamaican contender but she won’t likely replicate Carisa Peart’s feat.
NIGERIA – Genevieve Ukatu. Normally, we expect this country to be among the continental frontrunners. Not this year, though. This nursing student has a pretty face, but is overshadowed by other African contenders.
THE BAHAMAS – Maliqué Maranda. Well, it seems this pageant followed Miss Universe’s lead in alphabetically placing this country in the T Group. Though not a pre-pageant favorite, this financial qualified for the Talent award and is now close to placing after winning Miss Supra-Model Caribbean. So, she’s not that underrated, after all.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Cadiesha Joseph. These islands have this pageant to thank for keeping them in the radar when nobody else did. Much as this airline reservations agent proves that they’ve regained their footing, there are too many contenders to ensure a streak.
Planet Chuckie 