Nigeria's Junior D'Tigress edged out Uganda 71-67 in a thrilling semifinal clash at the University of Pretoria in South Africa on Friday to secure their place in the final of the FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket 2024.
This victory not only propelled them into the championship game but also earned them a coveted spot in the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 in Czechia.
The match was a nail-biter from start to finish. Nigeria stormed ahead early, leading by just one point at the end of the first quarter, 21-20, thanks to massive contributions from Doyinsola Lijirin and Momoluwa Ayomide Tewogbade.
By halftime, Nigeria had extended their lead to 45-39, with Abigail Isaac adding 10 rebounds and 8 points to the tally. Despite Uganda's relentless efforts, including a double-double performance from Resty Nanangwe who posted 16 points and 12 rebounds, Nigeria's efficiency from beyond the arc, scoring six 3-pointers to Uganda’s two, proved decisive.
Idubamo Beggi was instrumental for Nigeria, scoring a game-high 23 points and dishing out 6 assists. Her performance was complemented by Haminatu Ayodeji, who led the team in rebounding with 12 boards. The Junior D'Tigress' defense also played a crucial role, forcing Uganda into costly turnovers and missed free throws, converting only 55% compared to Nigeria’s 76%.
This victory was particularly sweet for Nigeria as it avenged their earlier group phase loss to Uganda. The Nigerian side had previously defeated Zimbabwe 107-30 in the group stage but lost to Egypt 72-60. However, they turned the tables in the quarterfinals, beating Egypt 66-51 to advance to the semifinals.
Coach Juliana Ojoshogu Negedu expressed her excitement and gratitude for the team's performance, highlighting how their scouting plan worked perfectly to stop Egypt’s top scorers. She now looks forward to the final against Mali, who defeated Cameroon 103-45 in the other semifinal clash.
The final is set to take place on Saturday, with Nigeria aiming to avenge their men's team's defeat to Mali in the quarterfinals. Both finalists have already secured their spots in the U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2025, making this final not just a battle for the championship but also a preview of the talent that will be showcased on the global stage next year.
Uganda, despite their loss, has shown remarkable progress under coach Omondi, improving their ranking from the last edition and showcasing resilience throughout the tournament. They will face Cameroon in the third-place playoff tomorrow, hoping to end their campaign on a high note.
The third-place playoff will be played at 1 PM, while the final will kick off at 6:30 PM.
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