Junior D’Tigress Fall Short As Mali Secure 10th U18 Afrobasket Title

Junior D’Tigress Fall Short As Mali Secure 10th U18 Afrobasket Title

Sampson Adedeji

Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress have missed out on the FIBA U18 Women’s Afrobasket Championship title after losing 77–68 to defending champions Mali in a fiercely contested final, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Nigerian side battled throughout the championship decider and pushed Mali hard, but the reigning champions held their composure in the crucial stages to retain their continental crown.

The victory secured Mali’s 10th U18 Afrobasket title and their third consecutive championship, further underlining their dominance in African women’s youth basketball.

Despite the disappointment of losing the final, Nigeria’s impressive campaign earned them qualification for the 2027 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in China.

Mali will also represent Africa at the global tournament as continental champions, with both teams securing Africa’s two available tickets.

The Junior D’Tigress will now turn their attention to the future as they seek to build on their strong campaign and eventually end Mali’s dominance of the U18 Afrobasket Championship.