…Junior D’Tigress have secured 2027 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup ticket
Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress will aim to win their first-ever FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket title when they face defending champions and perennial winners Mali in the final at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, later today (Sunday).
Both countries have already secured Africa’s two qualification slots for the 2027 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in China by reaching the final. However, there is still plenty at stake, as Nigeria will look to dethrone Mali at the summit of the continent’s U18 women’s game, while the defending champions will be seeking a third consecutive title.
Mali are nine-time winners of the competition and have lost only one final, against Egypt in 2020. Junior D’Tigress will be determined to avenge their 76-56 defeat to the Malians in the 2024 final in Pretoria. Based on the quality and resilience they have displayed in this year’s competition, the Nigerians appear capable of pulling off an upset.
The journey to the final has not been straightforward for Nigeria, but the team have demonstrated character and composure throughout the tournament. They edged Tunisia 54-50 in their opening game before suffering a narrow 75-74 defeat to Cameroon.
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Junior D’Tigress responded with a convincing 70-40 victory over Senegal in their final group-stage game to advance to the knockout phase. They then avenged their earlier loss to Cameroon with an emphatic 75-45 quarter-final win before overcoming hosts Côte d’Ivoire 53-50 in the semi-finals.
Mali, meanwhile, have maintained a perfect record on their way to the final. They demolished Benin 124-20 in their opening game and thrashed Morocco 103-30 before defeating Egypt 62-57 in their final group-stage encounter.
The defending champions continued their impressive run with a commanding 93-22 quarter-final victory over Kenya before edging Egypt 57-55 in the semi-finals.
Mali’s flawless campaign will provide a significant morale boost, as will their recent record against Nigeria, having defeated Junior D’Tigress in the 2024 final.
Nigeria will need to be wary of Mali point guard Couda Keita, who is averaging 18.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Guard Suzane Fatoumata Dembele is another major threat, averaging 16.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
One of Nigeria’s key strategies could be to get Oluwatobiloba Owolabi to the free-throw line as often as possible. She currently leads the tournament from the charity stripe, converting 88.9 per cent of her attempts.
Joy Favour Anari could also play a decisive role for Junior D’Tigress, particularly on the defensive end, where she is averaging an impressive 6.0 steals per game.
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