Nigeria U-18 basketball team target Afrobasket glory in Cote D'Ivoire
Nigeria’s U18 national basketball teams, the D’Tigers and D’Tigress, are set for another continental challenge as they compete at the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Championships in Côte d’Ivoire from August 5 to 16.
With qualification for the 2027 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cups on the line, both teams will be looking to make a strong statement against Africa’s best young talents.
The U18 D’Tigress, coached by Akindele Peter, head into the tournament determined to finally claim their maiden continental title after twice finishing as runners-up. Their latest heartbreak came in 2024 when they fell 76-56 to Mali in the final in South Africa.
Nigeria have been drawn in a challenging Group C alongside Cameroon, Senegal and Tunisia. Their campaign begins against Tunisia on August 5, followed by clashes with Cameroon on August 7 and Senegal on August 9.
The women’s competition features 12 nations, including hosts Côte d’Ivoire, defending champions Mali, Egypt, Morocco, Benin, Uganda, Kenya and the Central African Republic.
Coach Peter's squad includes Igwe Juliet Chizoba, Aladelua Precious Grace, Adelaja Zainab Adeola, Ibidunni Nimah, Alaje Cecilia Sunday, Owolabi Oluwatobiloba, Arowolo Bisola Azizat, Alli Khadijah Kuburah, Lawrence Becky, Abali Anastacia John, Onajomo Ogheneochuko, Pela Edore and Anari Favour Joy.
On the men's side, the U18 D’Tigers, under the guidance of Michael Ikima, will be aiming to reclaim the title they last won in 2006. Nigeria remain one of the competition’s most successful nations, sharing the record of six AfroBasket U18 titles with Egypt.
Drawn in Group A, the Junior D’Tigers will open their campaign against Egypt on August 5 before facing Chad on August 7 and hosts Côte d’Ivoire on August 9.
Ikima has named Idornigie Emmanuel, Ognonna Joshua, Nwafor Victor, Unekwe Ekene, Kayode Olakunle, Sunday Victor, John Isiah, Otaluwa Daniel, Okoh Thomas, Aniegbunam Somto, Aribo Olakunle, Attah James and Adelagun David in his final squad for the championship.
Both Nigerian teams have already arrived in Côte d’Ivoire and are putting the finishing touches to their preparations ahead of the opening games.
Beyond continental honours, there is even more at stake. Each team will play three group-stage matches, with the top two teams in each group and the two best third-placed teams progressing to the quarter-finals.
The finalists in both the men's and women's competitions will earn Africa’s two qualification spots for the 2027 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cups. The men's tournament will be held in Pardubice, Czech Republic, from June 26 to July 4, while the women's edition will take place in Chengdu, China, from July 17 to 25, 2027.
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