Nigeria Secures World Cup Spot With Victory Over Uganda in U-18 FIBA Africa Qualifiers.
Nigeria’s Under 18 women’s basketball team has qualified for the FIBA U-19 Women’s World Cup in Switzerland after a thrilling 71-67 victory over Uganda in the semi-finals of the 2024 FIBA U-18 Women’s Afrobasket. The match, held in South Africa, showcased the talent and determination of the Junior D’Tigress as they fought their way to a hard-earned win.
Leading the charge was the remarkable Idubamo Beggi, who delivered a game-high 23 points, steering Nigeria to victory. Her stellar performance was instrumental in keeping the Ugandan team at bay, particularly as the Nigerian side led in the first three quarters of the match. Despite a late rally from Uganda, who outscored Nigeria 13-10 in the final quarter, it was not enough to overturn Nigeria’s dominance.
Supporting Beggi’s standout display was Abigail Isaac, who made a significant impact on the boards, securing a game-high 14 rebounds to further bolster Nigeria’s defence and offence.
With this win, Nigeria not only advances to the final of the tournament but also secures a coveted place in the FIBA U-19 Women’s World Cup in Switzerland. The team will now face Mali, who have also secured a World Cup ticket, in the final to determine the champions of the 2024 FIBA U-18 Women’s Afrobasket.
Nigeria’s victory highlights the strength and potential of its young basketball talents as they set their sights on further success on the world stage.
