Mali defeated Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress 77-68 to win their 10th FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket title on Sunday at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Mali laid the foundation for their victory in the opening quarter, outscoring Nigeria 26-15. The Junior D’Tigress responded by edging the second quarter 15-13, while the third quarter ended 13-13.
Both teams scored 25 points apiece in the fourth quarter, allowing Mali to seal a nine-point victory and extend Nigeria’s wait for a maiden title.
Favour Joy Anari led the scoring for the Junior D’Tigress with 23 points, 10 rebounds and two assists. Oluwatobiloba Owolabi contributed 19 points and four rebounds, while Khadijah Alli finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
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Couda Keita starred for Mali with a game-high 25 points, four rebounds and three steals. Maimouna Traore recorded 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Suzane Fatoumata Dembele contributed 11 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Assan Bagnine Mariko also produced an impressive double-double of 10 points and 16 rebounds, alongside three steals.
Despite losing the final, Nigeria secured qualification for the 2027 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in China.
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