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Miss Universe 2016: Which African Queen rocked the Best National Costume?! See the Belles in their National Costumes & Preliminary Opening Outfits

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In 2 days, one lucky damsel will be crowned the 2016 Miss Universe.

The finale of the 65th edition of the annual pageantry will be held on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines where Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines will crown her successor at the end of the event.

BellaNaija Beauty has shown you photos of our African beauty queens competing this year (click here to see), their glam shots (click here to see) as well as clips to get to know them better. (click here to see)

Yesterday, the preliminary competition went down in Manila. At the Mall of Asia Arena, all 86 contestants competed in swimwear and evening gown in front of a panel of preliminary judges. The scores from the night’s event along with an interview portion determine the Top 12 during the Miss Universe broadcast. The Preliminary Competition was hosted by Pia Wurtzbach and Filipino-British actor Derek Ramsay.

Our African queens definitely stole the spotlight.

See what they rocked to represent their countries and pick your favourite. We are loving Angola, Nigeria and Mauritius.

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Preliminary Opening Outfits

Luisa Baptista, Miss Angola 2016 on stage in fashion by Sherri Hill and footwear by Chinese Laundry during the opening of the 65th MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Mary Esther Were, Miss Kenya 2016 on stage in fashion by Sherri Hill and footwear by Chinese Laundry during the opening of the 65th MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Kushboo Ramnawaj, Miss Mauritius 2016 on stage in fashion by Sherri Hill and footwear by Chinese Laundry during the opening of the 65th MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Lizelle Esterhuizen, Miss Namibia 2016 on stage in fashion by Sherri Hill and footwear by Chinese Laundry during the opening of the 65th MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Unoaku Anyadike, Miss Nigeria 2016 on stage in fashion by Sherri Hill and footwear by Chinese Laundry during the opening of the 65th MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Hawa Kamara, Miss Sierra Leone 2016 on stage in fashion by Sherri Hill and footwear by Chinese Laundry during the opening of the 65th MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Ntandoyenkosi Kunene, Miss South Africa 2016 on stage in fashion by Sherri Hill and footwear by Chinese Laundry during the opening of the 65th MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Jihan Dimack, Miss Tanzania 2016 on stage in fashion by Sherri Hill and footwear by Chinese Laundry during the opening of the 65th MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

National Costumes

Luisa Baptista, Miss Angola 2016 debuts her National Costume on stage at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Mary Esther Were, Miss Kenya 2016 debuts her National Costume on stage at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Kushboo Ramnawaj, Miss Mauritius 2016 debuts her National Costume on stage at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Lizelle Esterhuizen, Miss Namibia 2016 debuts her National Costume on stage at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Unoaku Anyadike, Miss Nigeria 2016 debuts her National Costume on stage at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Hawa Kamara, Miss Sierra Leone 2016 debuts her National Costume on stage at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Ntandoyenkosi Kunene, Miss South Africa 2016 debuts her National Costume on stage at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Jihan Dimack, Miss Tanzania 2016 debuts her National Costume on stage at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 25, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Photo Credit: missosology.org

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