BASKETBALL: Nigeria’s U-18 Boys Clinch Zone 3 Title, Qualify for 2026 FIBA AfroBasket

Oru Leonard 

Nigeria’s Under-18 Boys Basketball Team has secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Championship after an unbeaten campaign at the FIBA Africa Zone 3 U18 Qualifiers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The Nigerian side dominated the competition, winning all four matches in emphatic fashion to emerge Zone 3 champions and book an automatic ticket to the continental championship scheduled to hold in Côte d’Ivoire from August 3 to 16, 2026.

The team recorded commanding victories over their opponents, defeating Benin 96-35 in their opening game before overpowering hosts Burkina Faso 98-54. Nigeria completed the double over Benin with a 101-43 triumph and rounded off their flawless campaign by beating Burkina Faso 100-54.

The qualification means Nigeria will be represented in both the male and female categories at the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket, following the earlier qualification of the country’s U-18 Girls team.

Reacting to the achievement, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, praised the players and officials for their outstanding performances, attributing the success to the collective commitment of the federation’s leadership.
“The NBBF shall continue to lubricate the fan belts of the talent production factories of the game in Nigeria,” Kida said. “Our focus remains on improving Nigeria’s growing global status, with greater emphasis on grassroots basketball development.”Also commending the team’s impressive display, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, urged the young players to remain committed to their development.
“You should continue to develop your game. Olumide Oyedeji and Akeem Olajuwon were born already. As we speak, Sarah Ogoke is born already. All we need to do is to monitor their progress and plan for them,” Olopade said.

The federation also acknowledged the support of Chief Executive Officer of XEJet, Emmanuel Ayuba Iza, who visited the Nigerian contingent in Ouagadougou. Iza called for stronger private sector investment in basketball, urging corporate organisations and stakeholders to partner with the federation in nurturing young talents and advancing the sport in Nigeria.

With both the men’s and women’s U-18 teams now qualified for the continental championship, the NBBF says it is focused on building on the success recorded in Burkina Faso and mounting a strong challenge for honours at the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket in Côte d’Ivoire.

Credit: Kola Daniel