Nigeria's Junior D'Tigress have secured their place at the 2027 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup after a hard-fought 53-50 victory over hosts Côte d'Ivoire in Friday's semi-final at the 2026 FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket in Abidjan. The win also propelled Nigeria into the AfroBasket final for the second consecutive edition, ending the hosts' impressive run in front of their home fans.
Close Contest Decided in Final Quarter
The game was tightly contested from start to finish, featuring 11 lead changes and seven ties as both teams vied for a place in the final and one of Africa's two tickets to next year's World Cup in China. Nigeria edged the first quarter 12-11 and took the second 15-12 to lead 27-23 at halftime. The hosts responded by winning the third quarter 16-14, cutting Nigeria's lead to just two points. However, the Junior D'Tigress maintained their composure in the final quarter, winning it 12-11 to secure a three-point victory.
Key Performers for Nigeria
Captain Favour Joy Anari led Nigeria with 15 points and four assists, while Oluwatobiloba Owolabi contributed 11 points, including three three-pointers from four attempts. Nimah Ibidunni was strong on the boards with 12 rebounds and six points, and Zainab Adelaja finished with six points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. For Côte d'Ivoire, Fatima Diouf scored 12 points with three rebounds and three assists, while Salimata Koné added nine points.
Post-Match Reactions
After the game, Côte d'Ivoire's Jean Mary Diomande attributed the hosts' defeat to missed free throws. Owolabi credited Nigeria's defence for the win, stating, "Yes, we started slowly and finished strongly. We wanted to win, and we did, thanks to our defence."
Final Against Mali Awaits
The victory means Nigeria have won three straight games at the tournament and will return to the final for the second consecutive edition. Mali reached the final after a narrow 57-55 win over Egypt. The Malians defeated the Junior D'Tigress 76-56 in the 2024 final and are now chasing a third straight AfroBasket title. With their World Cup ticket already secured, Nigeria will be hoping for a different outcome this time as they face Mali in Sunday's final, setting up a repeat of the 2024 final in Pretoria.
