LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Nigeria’s U18 women’s basketball team, the Junior D’Tigress, delivered a thrilling performance in Abidjan on Friday night, defeating hosts Côte d’Ivoire 53–50 in the semifinal of the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket Championship.
The victory not only silenced the home crowd but also secured Nigeria’s qualification for the 2027 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in China.
At halftime, the Junior D’Tigress held a narrow 27–23 lead after a fiercely competitive opening two quarters. Favour Anari led the scoring with 13 points, while Zainab Adelaja dominated the boards with five rebounds. Favour Anari added four assists, helping Nigeria maintain their edge in a tense first half.
The second half proved even more dramatic. Nigeria held their nerve in the closing minutes to seal a three-point win, showcasing resilience and composure under pressure.
Favour Anari finished with 15 points, four assists, and five steals, cementing her role as the standout performer. Oluwatobiloba Owolabi contributed 11 points, including three crucial three-pointers, while Nimah Ibidunni grabbed 12 rebounds to control the paint.
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Adelaja added six points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in a balanced team effort.
The result sends the Junior D’Tigress into Sunday’s final, where they will battle for continental glory.
More importantly, the win guarantees Nigeria a place at next year’s U19 World Cup, extending the nation’s proud tradition of competing at the highest level of youth basketball.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the narrow defeat ended hopes of a historic breakthrough on home soil. For Nigeria, however, the triumph reinforced their reputation as one of Africa’s rising powers in women’s basketball.
