By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Nigeria’s U18 Boys Basketball Team has secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket after an impressive unbeaten run at the FIBA Africa Zone 3 U18 Qualifiers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
The junior team emerged Zone 3 champions after winning all four of their matches in dominant fashion between July 4 and 11, defeating Benin and hosts Burkina Faso twice each. Nigeria opened their campaign with a commanding 96-35 victory over Benin before overpowering Burkina Faso 98-54. They followed up with a 101-43 triumph over Benin and concluded the tournament with a convincing 100-54 win against Burkina Faso.
The flawless performance earned Nigeria an automatic qualification ticket to the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Championship scheduled to hold in Côte d’Ivoire from August 3 to 16. The boys will be joined at the continental tournament by the country’s U18 girls’ team, which had earlier secured automatic qualification.
Reacting to the achievement, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, praised the team’s outstanding display and attributed the success to the collective commitment of the federation’s leadership.
Kida reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to grassroots basketball development, saying the NBBF would continue to strengthen talent discovery and nurture young players to sustain Nigeria’s growing reputation on the global basketball stage.
Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, also congratulated the team, urging the players to remain focused on improving their game and striving to emulate Nigeria’s basketball greats.
He stressed the importance of identifying, monitoring and developing young talents capable of representing the country at the highest level.
The federation also acknowledged the support of XEJet Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Ayuba Iza, who visited the team in Ouagadougou during the tournament. Iza called for greater private sector investment in Nigerian basketball, urging corporate organizations and other stakeholders to partner with the federation in developing the sport.
With both the male and female U18 teams set to represent Nigeria in Côte d’Ivoire, the NBBF says it is focused on building on the success recorded in Ouagadougou and mounting a strong challenge for honours at the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Championship.
