German 
English Malian reign unbroken: Mali overpowers Nigeria to secure Historic 2026 Afrobasket title
ABIDJAN — There is dominance, and then there is the Malian U18 Women’s Basketball team. In a high-stakes, thrilling finale at the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan, Mali once again proved why they are the undisputed queens of continental youth basketball.
Facing a fierce Nigerian squad, the Malian powerhouse dug deep to secure a 77 – 68 victory, extending their flawless tournament run to an undefeated 6-0.
With this triumph, Mali captures a historic second “three-peat” (adding 2026 to their 2022 and 2024 trophies), bringing their total count to an unmatched ten championship titles.
The Stars Who Shined
While Nigeria fought valiantly, Mali’s individual brilliance ultimately broke the game wide open:
Couda Keita’s Masterclass: Keita put on an absolute clinic, dropping a game-high 25 points in the final. Her elite shooting also earned her the tournament’s leading scorer and best three-pointer awards.
MVP Traoré: 17-year-old sensation Maimouna Traoré anchored the team with 18 points in the final, rightfully earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player honors.
The Next Stop: The World Stage
While Mali walks away with the gold and Nigeria takes home a well deserved silver, the journey is far from over for these two African giants. By reaching the final, both nations have officially punched their tickets to represent the continent at the upcoming FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup. For now, Africa belongs to Mali. And based on this golden generation’s performance, their reign won’t be ending anytime soon.
About Author
