Nigeria completes U-18 AfroBasket double as boys seal Zone 3 title

Posted : 13 July 2026

Nigeria's U-18 boys' basketball team has completed a historic double for the country after securing qualification for the 2026 FIBA U-18 AfroBasket Championship with an unbeaten run at the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The team emerged as Zone 3 champions after winning all four of their matches in commanding fashion, joining the country's U-18 girls' team, who had earlier booked their place at the continental championship scheduled to be held in Côte d'Ivoire from Aug. 3 to 16.

Nigeria opened its campaign with a convincing 96-35 victory over Benin before defeating hosts Burkina Faso 98-54. The team completed the double over both opponents with a 101-43 win against Benin and a 100-54 triumph over Burkina Faso to finish the tournament undefeated.

Reacting to the achievement, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, commended the players and officials for their outstanding performance, describing the success as a product of the collective commitment of the federation's leadership.

Kida reaffirmed the federation's commitment to strengthening grassroots basketball development, stressing that sustained investment in youth programmes remains key to Nigeria's growing reputation in global basketball.

"The NBBF shall continue to lubricate the fan belts of the talent production factories of the game in Nigeria. Our focus remains on improving Nigeria's growing global status, with greater emphasis on grassroots basketball development," he said.

Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, also praised the team and urged the young players to remain focused on their development.

He noted that Nigeria has consistently produced world-class basketball talents and encouraged the players to strive towards achieving similar success on the international stage.

The federation also acknowledged the support of the Chief Executive Officer of XEJet, Mr. Emmanuel Ayuba Iza, who visited the team during the tournament in Ouagadougou.

Iza called for greater private sector investment in Nigerian basketball, urging corporate organisations and other stakeholders to partner with the federation in nurturing young talents and sustaining the growth of the sport.

With both the male and female U-18 national teams now qualified, Nigeria will head to Côte d'Ivoire aiming to build on its impressive qualifying campaign and challenge for continental honours at the 2026 FIBA U-18 AfroBasket Championship. The twin qualification highlights the progress of Nigeria's youth basketball programme and reflects the federation's continued investment in developing the next generation of players. The teams will now shift their focus to preparing for the continental tournament, where they will seek to convert their impressive qualifying performances into podium finishes.

Nigeria completes U-18 AfroBasket double as boys seal Zone 3 title

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