FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket 2026: Côte d’Ivoire Complete Perfect Group Stage and Advance to the Quarterfinals

Abidjan, August 10, 2026 — Three games, three wins and a place in the quarterfinals. Playing on home soil, Côte d’Ivoire have made a perfect start to the FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket 2026, finishing the group stage undefeated and underlining their ambitions in front of their home crowd.

With a 3-0 record, the young Elephants have advanced comfortably to the knockout stage, building confidence with each game. According to FIBA’s official team statistics, Côte d’Ivoire have combined strong individual performances with an impressive collective effort throughout the group phase.

A Perfect Group Stage

Côte d’Ivoire gradually established their authority across their three group games. Supported by a passionate home crowd, the Elephants controlled their opponents and avoided any major setbacks on their way to a perfect record.

The three victories have given the hosts an ideal platform heading into the quarterfinals. More importantly, the group stage demonstrated the depth of the roster, with several players making significant contributions in different areas of the game.

Adahe Leads the Way

Marlyne Esther Adahe has emerged as one of the standout players for Côte d’Ivoire during the group stage.

She is averaging 18.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 24.7 efficiency rating per game, making her one of the team's most influential players. She is also averaging 1.7 blocks per game, providing a strong presence on both ends of the floor.

Her ability to contribute consistently in scoring, rebounding and defense has made Adahe one of the key players to watch as Côte d’Ivoire enter the knockout rounds.

Diouf and Kaba Add Their Impact

Fatima Diouf leads Côte d’Ivoire in scoring after the group stage, averaging 19.3 points per game. She has also contributed 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 steals per game, demonstrating her ability to impact the game at both ends of the court.

Adahe follows closely with 18.0 points per game, while Françoise Hawa Kaba is averaging 9.3 points.

Kaba has also been an important playmaker for the hosts, leading the team with 6.3 assists per game. Her defensive contribution has been equally impressive, with 6.7 steals per game, the highest average among the Ivorian players.

A Balanced Team

One of the biggest positives from the group stage has been Côte d’Ivoire's ability to rely on more than one player.

Adahe leads the team on the boards with 8.3 rebounds per game, followed by Fanta Diarra with 7.3 and Ramatou Dissa with 7.0.

Dissa has also provided a defensive presence in the paint, averaging 1.7 blocks per game, matching Adahe's average.

The numbers underline the depth available to the coaching staff and the different ways Côte d’Ivoire can hurt opponents.

Now, the Quarterfinals

The perfect group-stage record gives Côte d’Ivoire an important confidence boost, but the competition now enters a completely different phase.

From the quarterfinals onward, every game becomes a must-win contest. The Elephants will need to maintain the defensive intensity, discipline and collective effort that carried them through the group stage.

Playing at home, with the support of the Abidjan crowd and a team gaining momentum with every game, Côte d’Ivoire have already made their intentions clear.

Three games. Three wins. Quarterfinals secured.

The hosts are now just three victories away from a place in the AfroBasket U18 Women’s final — and the dream of lifting the continental trophy on home soil remains alive.