FIBA U18 Men’s Afrobasket: J’Tigers fall at quarterfinals, misses FIBA U19 World Cup

Nigeria’s U18 men’s basketball team, the J’Tigers Thursday evening crashed out of the FIBA men’s 18 Afrobasket in Pretoria, South Africa after losing 81-70 to their Malian counterparts.

The Nigerians won the first (32-19) and the third (15-14) quarters but it was not enough as the Malian won the second (21-15) and especially the fourth (27-17) quarters which them a nine point lead.

The loss means Nigeria have lost the opportunity of fighting for a spot in next year’s FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland.

The J’Tigers will now play against Egypt in the classification tie on Friday in between the semifinals between Rwanda and Angola and Mali vs Senegal.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian female team, the J’Tigress will play Uganda in their semifinals clash on Friday.

A win for the Nigerian ladies will guarantee them a spot in next year’s FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland.