Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress will face defending champions Mali in the final of the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan on Sunday, with the continental title at stake after both sides secured qualification for the 2027 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in China.
“Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress will battle Mali in the final of the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket on Sunday (today), having secured their…”
“Each FIBA Africa zone organises qualifiers where only the champion team of the zone qualifies for the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2026 finals.”,”
Nigeria booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 53-50 victory over hosts Côte d’Ivoire in Friday’s semi-final.
The Junior D’Tigress held their nerve in a closely contested encounter, taking a 12-11 lead after the opening quarter before extending their advantage to 27-23 at half-time.
Nigeria maintained their four-point lead after the third quarter, which they won 14-13, before surviving a late rally from the hosts. Côte d’Ivoire won the final quarter 12-11, but Nigeria held on for a three-point victory.
Favour Joy Anari led Nigeria’s scoring with 15 points, while also recording four assists and five steals. Oluwatobiloba Owolabi added 11 points, including three three-pointers from four attempts.
Nimah Ibidunni was influential on the boards with 12 rebounds and six points, while Zainab Adelaja contributed six points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Mali, meanwhile, reached the final after edging Egypt 57-55 in their semi-final.
The Malians are seeking to retain the title they won in 2024, when they defeated Nigeria 76-56 in the final in Pretoria, South Africa. The victory gave Mali their ninth title in the competition.
Mali have been dominant throughout the tournament, finishing the group stage unbeaten after victories over Benin, Morocco and Egypt before defeating Kenya 93-22 in the quarter-finals.
Nigeria entered the knockout stage with a 2-1 group-stage record. They defeated Tunisia 54-50 and Senegal 70-40 but suffered a narrow 75-74 defeat to Cameroon.
The Junior D’Tigress responded emphatically in the quarter-finals, beating Cameroon 75-45 before overcoming Côte d’Ivoire in the semi-finals.
Owolabi said the Nigerian side was determined to avenge the 2024 final defeat.
“We’re aware that they are the defending champions and beat Nigeria in the 2024 final, but it will not be easy for Mali this time. As a team, we’re determined to change the narrative this time,” she said.
With both finalists already guaranteed places at next year’s FIBA U19 World Cup, Sunday’s encounter will be solely about continental supremacy.
NSC backs Junior D’Tigress
The National Sports Commission has congratulated the Junior D’Tigress on securing qualification for the 2027 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup.
NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade praised the team for overcoming the hosts and described the victory as evidence of their resilience in a difficult environment.
“The girls have done very well to secure their place at the Women’s World Cup in China next year, which shows their commitment, patriotism and discipline. Now that the World Cup ticket has been secured, I have no doubt that they can win the AfroBasket in Sunday’s final against Mali,” Olopade said.
He also commended the Nigeria Basketball Federation, led by its president, Musa Kida, for the progress recorded by the country’s national teams, particularly the women’s sides.
Nigeria’s qualification for the U19 World Cup follows that of the senior D’Tigress, who are set to compete at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany in September.
The Junior D’Tigress will now look to complete their campaign with a victory over Mali and claim their first U18 AfroBasket title. The final is scheduled for the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan.
