ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - Fans’ favourite Chad served up a thriller at Palais des Sports de Treichville as Group A action of the 2026 FIBA U18 Afrobasket concluded on Sunday.
With both teams playing for a direct slot in the quarterfinals, it was Chad that turned up the heat early, establishing a firm grip on the game that ultimately led to a 73-53 win.
This victory sends Chad to the quarterfinals, and Egypt could still qualify as one of the two best third-place finishers.
“What defines us is always doing things with heart, you know. We have a lot of talent; we just don’t have enough infrastructure like other people. So, what we need is just opportunities like this to show people that in Chad we have a lot of talent. So today I think that everybody can put Chad somewhere on the map,” Chad coach Asnal Noubaramadje said.
A 23-20 first quarter lead followed by a 16-12 second quarter gave Chad a 7-point lead, but most importantly, confidence that they would secure victory.
Even after Egypt rallied back into the game, Yaya Ngaba was unplayable on the afternoon, delivering a sublime performance to guide Chad to the historic win. Ngaba exploded for 33 points, picked 19 rebounds and blocked 7 shots.
For coach Asnal, a legend of the game back home, the performance from his captain was not a surprise, and it's only one of many to come from the star forward.
“You know he can do more; he can really do more. But he’s very young, so he made a lot of mistakes, but I'm very happy for him to show people that Chad has this kind of talent.”
Junior Djibrine contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Mahamat Aka Ousmane chipped in with 14.
For Egypt, whose effort kept declining with every quarter, only Ahmed Bakry scored in double figures with 12 points.
FIBA