Junior D’Tigress will face Mali in the final of the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket on Sunday, following a tense 53-50 semi-final victory over host nation Ivory Coast. The Nigerian team secured its spot in the title match and a guaranteed place at the 2027 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in China. The final will take place at the Palais des Sports dome in Treichville, marking a rematch of the 2024 championship, where Mali had defeated Nigeria 76-56 in Pretoria, South Africa. In the semi-final against Ivory Coast, Nigeria displayed resilience throughout the match, maintaining a narrow lead despite a spirited effort from the hosts. The game saw multiple lead changes, with Nigeria edging the first quarter 12-11 and extending their advantage to 27-23 at halftime. Ivory Coast fought back in the third quarter, winning it 16-14 to cut Nigeria’s lead to two points. However, Nigeria held firm in the final quarter, securing a 12-11 edge to clinch the victory. Key contributors for Nigeria included Favour Joy Anari, who led the scoring with 15 points, four assists, and five steals. Oluwatobiloba Owolabi added 11 points, including three three-pointers, while Nimah Ibidunni dominated the boards with 12 rebounds and six points. Zainab Adelaja contributed six points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. For Ivory Coast, Fatima Diouf scored 12 points, and Salimata Koné added nine points. Mali advanced to the final with a 57-55 win over Egypt, continuing their dominance in the competition. As reigning champions, Mali aims to secure a tenth AfroBasket title in the U18 category. Their path to the final included victories over Benin, Morocco, Egypt, and Kenya, showcasing their strength in the tournament. Key players for Mali include Maimouna Traore, Suzane Dembele, Assan Mariko, Couda Keita, and Aminata Samake. Nigeria's journey to the final was marked by a 2-1 group stage performance, with wins over Tunisia and Senegal and a narrow loss to Cameroon. They later avenged that defeat in the quarter-finals, defeating Cameroon 75-45 before overcoming Ivory Coast in the semi-finals. Coach Peter Akindele is expected to field a lineup featuring Anari, Adelaja, Owolabi, Ibidunni, Bisola Arowolo, and Khadijah Alli. Oluwatobiloba Owolabi expressed confidence in Nigeria's ability to change the narrative against Mali, stating that the team is determined to achieve a different result than in the previous encounter. Both teams have already secured their spots at the 2027 World Cup, making the final a contest for continental supremacy. The National Sports Commission praised the Junior D’Tigress for their semi-final victory, highlighting their resilience in challenging conditions. Director General Bukola Olopade commended the Nigeria Basketball Federation under President Musa Kida for the progress made by the country's national teams, especially the women's teams. She expressed confidence in the team's ability to win the AfroBasket final against Mali. The qualification of the Junior D’Tigress follows that of the senior D’Tigress team, which also secured a spot at the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany, scheduled for September 2026. This marks a significant achievement for Nigerian basketball, with both junior and senior teams advancing to international competitions.
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