- Junior D’Tigress qualify for 2027 FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup
- Favour Anari led Nigeria with 15 points and four assists.
- Junior D’Tigress will face Mali in Sunday’s tournament final.
Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress have qualified for the 2027 FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, scheduled to take place in China from July 17 to 25, 2027.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Junior D’Tigress secured their place at the global tournament after defeating Côte d’Ivoire 53-50 in the semi final of the ongoing FIBA U-18 Afrobasket on Friday night, August 15.
The victory ended Côte d’Ivoire’s unbeaten run in the tournament and earned Nigeria a World Cup ticket.
The game was closely contested, with the score tied seven times and both teams recording 11 lead changes.
Nigeria won the first two quarters 12-11 and 15-12 to take a 27-23 lead into halftime.
Côte d’Ivoire responded strongly in the third quarter, winning 16-14 and putting pressure on the Nigerian side.
However, the Junior D’Tigress held their ground in the final quarter, winning 12-11 to secure a three point victory.
Nigeria captain Favour Anari led her side with 15 points, two rebounds and four assists for an efficiency rating of 11.
Zainab Adelaja was also instrumental for Nigeria, recording the highest efficiency rating of 14, while Nimah Ibidunni contributed six points and 12 rebounds.
For Côte d’Ivoire, Fatima Diouf scored 12 points, three rebounds and three assists to lead her team.
Salimata Koné recorded an efficiency rating of 12 and scored nine points.
Oluwatobiloba Owolabi, who contributed 11 points, credited Nigeria’s defensive performance for the victory.
“Yes, we started slowly and finished strongly. We wanted to win, and we did, thanks to our defence,” Owolabi said after the match.
The Junior D’Tigress will face Mali in the final of the FIBA U-18 Afrobasket on Sunday, August 16.
Nigeria lost 76-56 to Mali in the final of the 2024 FIBA U-18 Afrobasket in South Africa.
Mali will be seeking a record extending 10th continental title, while Nigeria will be targeting its first title after finishing as runners up in 2010 and 2024.
