The FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket 2026 came to an end in Abidjan with Mali once again at the top of African women’s youth basketball. The defending champions defeated Nigeria 77-68 in the final to secure their third consecutive continental title.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the tournament ended with a fourth-place finish after a strong run to the semifinals on home soil.
Mali Complete the Three-Peat
Mali once again demonstrated their dominance in African U18 women’s basketball.
Facing Nigeria in the championship game, the defending champions had to work hard before eventually securing a 77-68 victory and retaining their continental crown.
The triumph gives Mali their third consecutive title, following their championships in 2022 and 2024. They also completed the tournament with a perfect 6-0 record.
Couda Keita led Mali with 25 points in the final, while Maimouna Traoré added 18 points to help the defending champions complete another successful campaign.
Maimouna Traoré Named Tournament MVP
Mali’s championship success was also reflected in the individual awards.
Maimouna Traoré was named MVP of the FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket 2026 after playing a key role throughout Mali’s undefeated campaign.
She was also selected to the tournament’s All-Star Five, alongside fellow Malian Assan Mariko, Egypt’s Hania Hassabelnaby, Cameroon’s Eveline Toyounon, and Nigeria’s Favour Anari.
Other individual honors were also awarded. Couda Keita finished as the tournament’s leading scorer and top three-point shooter, averaging 20 points per game.
Cameroon’s Eveline Toyounon dominated the rebounding category, averaging an impressive 17 rebounds per game.
Côte d’Ivoire Finish Just Outside the Podium
Playing in front of their home supporters, Côte d’Ivoire reached the semifinals and earned an opportunity to compete for a place on the podium.
After falling in the semifinal, the Elephantes faced Egypt in the third-place game, with the bronze medal at stake.
Egypt eventually prevailed 60-52, leaving Côte d’Ivoire in fourth place.
Despite missing out on a medal, Côte d’Ivoire can take several positives from their campaign. In front of a passionate home crowd at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, the team competed against some of the continent’s strongest U18 women’s programs and gained valuable experience throughout the tournament.
The fourth-place finish adds another chapter to Côte d’Ivoire’s history in the competition and provides an important foundation for the continued development of the country’s women’s youth basketball program.
A Valuable Tournament on Home Soil
Hosting the FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket 2026 provided Côte d’Ivoire with an opportunity to compete on home soil while showcasing the country’s commitment to the development of women’s basketball.
The Elephantes’ run to the semifinals and fourth-place finish represent another important step for the program, while the experience gained against Africa’s top teams should prove valuable for this generation of players.
Mali, meanwhile, leave Abidjan with another continental crown and further strengthen their position as the dominant force in African U18 women’s basketball.
Final Standings
🥇 Mali 🇲🇱 — Champions
🥈 Nigeria 🇳🇬 — Silver medal
🥉 Egypt 🇪🇬 — Bronze medal
4️⃣ Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮 — Fourth place