By Emeka Dennar
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has praised Nigeria’s U-18 men’s basketball team following their impressive qualification for the 2026 FIBA U-18 AfroBasket Championship after an unbeaten outing at the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
The Junior D’Tigers delivered a dominant performance throughout the tournament, winning all four of their matches to emerge Zone 3 champions and secure an automatic place at the continental championship, which will be held in Ivory Coast from August 3 to 16, 2026. Their qualification ensures that both Nigeria’s male and female U-18 teams will feature at the tournament after the girls also booked their place.
Nigeria sealed their qualification in style with a convincing 100-54 victory over hosts Burkina Faso on Saturday. Earlier in the competition, they defeated Benin 96-35 and 101-43, while also recording a 98-54 win over Burkina Faso. The qualifiers featured Nigeria, Benin and Burkina Faso after Liberia pulled out before the tournament began.
Commending the team’s achievement, NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade congratulated the players on their outstanding performances and encouraged them to keep working on their development.
“You should continue to develop your game. Olumide Oyedeji and Hakeem 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.
Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President Musa Kida also hailed the team’s commanding performances, describing the qualification as a reflection of the federation’s commitment to nurturing young talent across the country.
“The NBBF shall continue to lubricate the fan belts of the talent production factories of the game in Nigeria. Our focus remains on improving Nigeria’s growing global status, with greater emphasis on grassroots basketball development,” Kida said.
The Junior D’Tigers will now turn their attention to the 2026 FIBA U-18 AfroBasket Championship in Ivory Coast, where they will look to build on their strong qualifying campaign and challenge for continental honours.
