Nigeria’s Junior Tigress lost to Mali in the final of the women’s U-18 FIBA AfroBasket championship in Pretoria, South Africa.
In Saturday’s final, the Malians triumphed over Nigeria by 76 – 56 to land a record-extending ninth continental title.
It is the second time Nigeria’s U-18 women’s team has finished as runners-up in the competition.
Mali led in all the four quarters in the final against Nigeria to emerge champions again.
They took the first quarter 11-8 and also came out tops in the second with a 29-23 points lead.
In the third quarter the French-speaking country emerged tops again by 53-42 before rounding off with a final score of 76 – 56.
Nigeria an Mali will represent Africa at next year’s FIBA U-19 World Cup in Czech Republic.
Also Mali won the men’s final after overcoming Cameroon by 60 – 51.
