Best Odds Center
best odds centre button
Click here!
Sport TV
watch live tv button
Click here!
to watch
Live FootBall
NPFL
Click here!
Live Scores
play watch Live Score button
Click here!

Junior D’Tigress Lose 77-68 to Mali in U18 Afrobasket Final

Posted : 17 August 2026

Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress missed out on the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s Afrobasket title after losing 77-68 to defending champions Mali in the final in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The result saw Mali retain the continental crown and complete another dominant championship campaign.

Mali were led by Couda Keita, who produced a game-high 25 points to help her side control the decisive stages. The Malian attack proved more efficient overall, with the champions shooting 44.8 per cent on two-point attempts compared with Nigeria’s 40 per cent.

The defeat was another disappointment for Nigeria against Mali at this level. The two nations also met in the 2024 final, making Sunday’s contest a repeat of that championship matchup. Nigeria had reached the final after defeating hosts Côte d’Ivoire 53-50 in the semi-final.

Mali’s latest triumph further strengthens their position as the dominant force in African youth women’s basketball. The victory gives them a second three-peat in the competition, after previously winning three successive titles in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

The Junior D’Tigress can still take significant encouragement from their campaign. Nigeria reached the championship game for the second consecutive edition and secured one of Africa’s two available places at the 2027 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in China.

Mali will join Nigeria at the global tournament after claiming the continental title. Both teams earned their World Cup places by reaching the U18 Afrobasket final, ensuring that Africa will again have representation from two of its leading youth basketball nations.

Nigeria’s immediate focus now shifts towards the development of the young players who featured in the campaign. The experience of reaching another continental final and qualifying for the U19 World Cup gives the Junior D’Tigress a strong platform to continue their progress.

For Mali, the latest title confirms their remarkable consistency at U18 level. Their ability to repeatedly overcome Nigeria and other leading African teams keeps them at the top of the continent’s youth women’s basketball hierarchy.

 

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics

close button
Please fill captcha :