Nigeria’s basketball teams are making history as both the boys’ and girls’ squads have advanced to the quarter-finals of the ongoing African U18 Basketball Championship in South Africa. This marks a significant achievement for Nigeria, as it’s the first time in the country’s history that both teams have reached the quarter-finals at this prestigious level.
The Afrobasket U18 Championship doubles as a qualifying tournament for the FIBA Junior World Cup, which will be held in Switzerland. Securing spots in the quarter-finals is a major milestone, especially as the teams aim for the opportunity to represent Africa on the global stage.
The Nigerian girls’ team, known as J’Tigress, secured their quarter-final berth as one of the third-best teams in their group. They are set to face Egypt on Wednesday in Pretoria, in what will be a rematch of their opening game, where they suffered a loss to the Egyptians. Despite challenges, including a bout of flu that affected several players ahead of their last group game against Uganda, the team is hopeful for a stronger performance in the upcoming match.
The boys’ team also faced significant hurdles, arriving in Pretoria late after being initially denied visas by the South African Embassy in Abuja. Despite receiving no financial assistance from the Ministry of Sports Development, the team has managed to compete thanks to private donations. Their resilience has paid off with a spot in the quarter-finals.
As the tournament progresses, two teams from Africa will ultimately qualify for the FIBA U18 World Cup in Switzerland, and Nigeria’s boys’ and girls’ teams are both in the running to secure those coveted spots.
