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Nigeria Book FIBA U-19 Women’s World Cup Ticket After Edging Côte d’Ivoire

Posted : 15 August 2026

Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress have secured their place at the 2027 FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup after defeating Côte d’Ivoire 53-50 in a tense semi-final clash at the FIBA U-18 Women’s Afrobasket.

The victory in front of a hostile home crowd in Abidjan also earned the Peter Akindele-led side a place in Sunday’s final, where they will face defending champions Mali.

Favour Joy Anari emerged as Nigeria’s standout performer, scoring a game-high 15 points, while Nimah Ibidunni provided a strong presence on the boards with 14 rebounds.

Nigeria laid the foundation for victory by winning the first, second and fourth quarters, surviving a late challenge from the Ivorians to hold on for the three-point triumph.

The result guarantees Nigeria one of Africa’s qualification tickets to the FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in China, alongside Mali, who defeated Egypt 57-55 in the other semi-final.

Mali, the defending champions, secured their place in the final after another closely contested encounter, setting up a repeat of the continental rivalry that also saw both nations qualify for the 2025 edition of the global tournament.

Nigeria and Mali will battle for the Afrobasket title on Sunday, August 16, at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m.

For the Junior D’Tigress, the immediate focus will now shift from qualification to completing the job by lifting the continental crown.

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