Junior D’Tigress Face Mali In U-18 Afrobasket Final

Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress will face Mali in the final of the FIBA U-18 Women’s Afrobasket on Sunday, with the Nigerians chasing their first continental title after securing qualification for next year’s FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup.

The Junior D’Tigress booked their place in the final after edging Côte d’Ivoire 53-50 in a fiercely contested semi-final on Friday night.

The victory also secured Nigeria one of Africa’s two qualification places for the 2027 FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in China.

Nigeria had to withstand sustained pressure from Côte d’Ivoire, with the game featuring 11 lead changes and seven occasions when the scores were level.

The Junior D’Tigress led 12-11 after the opening quarter and extended their advantage with a 15-12 second-quarter win to take a 27-23 lead into half-time.

Côte d’Ivoire responded strongly after the interval, winning the third quarter 16-14 to reduce the deficit and set up a tense finish. Nigeria held their nerve in the final quarter, edging it 12-11 to secure the narrow victory.

Captain Favour Anari led Nigeria’s scoring with 15 points, alongside two rebounds and four assists, while Zainab Adelaja produced an influential all-round performance. Nimah Ibidunni also made a significant contribution with six points and 12 rebounds.

Oluwatobiloba Owolabi added 11 points and attributed the victory to Nigeria’s defensive effort.

“We started slowly and finished strongly. We wanted to win, and we did, thanks to our defence,” Owolabi said.

Standing between Nigeria and the title is a formidable Mali side that defeated the Junior D’Tigress 76-56 in the 2024 final in South Africa.

Mali will be seeking a record-extending 10th continental title, while Nigeria are aiming to finally go all the way after finishing runners-up in 2010 and 2024.

The final therefore presents Nigeria with an opportunity to avenge their 2024 defeat and secure a historic first U-18 Afrobasket crown.

With both teams already assured of places at next year’s World Cup, Sunday’s encounter will now be about continental supremacy, with the Junior D’Tigress hoping their hard-fought semi-final victory provides the momentum needed to overcome the reigning African powerhouse.