Nigeria Face Mali in U18 Women’s AfroBasket Final Showdown

Nigeria and Mali will renew their rivalry in the final of the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket after both nations survived tense semi-final encounters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Nigeria booked their place in the championship game with a hard-fought 53-50 victory over hosts Côte d’Ivoire, while Mali edged Egypt 57-55 in another closely contested semi-final to reach their seventh consecutive final since 2014.

Zainab Adelaja led Nigeria’s scoring with 14 points against Côte d’Ivoire as the Nigerian girls held their nerve in a tense contest.

They led 12-11 after the first quarter and 27-23 at halftime before Côte d’Ivoire fought back in the third quarter.

Nigeria eventually held on by outscoring the hosts 12-11 in the final period.

Mali, meanwhile, were inspired by captain Couda Keita, who produced 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists to help her side overcome Egypt.

Assan Mariko added 12 points and 14 rebounds as Mali survived a dramatic finish to preserve their two-point advantage.

Mali enter the championship game with considerable experience on this stage, having now reached the final for the seventh consecutive tournament since 2014.

Nigeria, however, will be determined to upset that remarkable run and crown their campaign with the continental title.

The two teams are also familiar with each other, having met in the group stage earlier in the tournament, when Mali secured a 62-57 victory over Nigeria.

That result gives the West Africans an advantage in their recent head-to-head record, but Nigeria will have another opportunity to settle the score when the championship is at stake.