ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - The group phase of the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket is done and dusted. The quarterfinalists are known, and so are the match-ups.
After six days of action, below is what we learnt from the group phase of the tournament taking place at Palais des Sports de Treichville.
Côte d’Ivoire are contenders
During the group stage of the competition, the hosts showed they are not just participating in the tournament but rather in it to win it.
Côte d’Ivoire have been a top-four side across the major statistical categories.
They topped the scoring ladder with 90 points per game; they lead the assist chart, which means they share the ball and are third in overall rebounding but top in offensive rebounding, which means they are always looking for second-chance opportunities. They led the efficiency rating through group play.
Defensively, Côte d’Ivoire are also a top team. They are second in steals per game.
It’s not always about size…
Size is a very important aspect of basketball, and it led to a popular saying in the sport that “you can’t teach size”. But basketball is not always about size, and Madagascar proved that during the group phase of the competition.
While they are among the smallest teams in the competition, Madagascar were a top-4 rebounding team during group play; only bettered by Mali, Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire by small margins. This points to fundamentals of the game rather than size.
Chad announced arrival at grand stage
Competing at their first-ever FIBA U18 AfroBasket, Chad have played like they belong.
Two wins against powerhouses Nigeria and Egypt have seen Chad reach the quarterfinals, and as coach Asnal Noubaramadje put it, all they needed was opportunities.
In Yaya Ngaba, Chad have one of the best players and leaders at the tournament, who, along with a good supporting cast, have lifted Chad to the last eight.
There is more to come from Chad.
Nigeria were underwhelming
Having swept through the Zone 3 qualifiers, Nigeria were expected to bring the same energy in Abidjan.
However, the only guard Victor Sunday consistently showed up, and Nigeria ultimately lost all three group games.
New team, same winning mettle
Mali arrived in Abidjan with a relatively new group of players and demonstrated their championship mettle, cruising to a 3-0 record in the group stage.
With their perfect win-loss record thus far, the reigning African champions extended their winning streak in the tournament to 10-0, dating back to August 14, 2022, when they defeated Angola in the third-place game at the tournament in Madagascar.
What's up Egypt?
Egypt has consistently performed well in the tournament over the last eighteen years, achieving a podium finish in nine of the last ten editions.
However...
After finishing fifth in the 2024 tournament and advancing to the quarterfinals of the ongoing event in Abidjan, questions have started to emerge about Egypt's recent performance.
Egypt advanced to the Last Eight with a 1–2 win-loss record and a -20 point differential. This had never happened in the previous nine editions of the tournament, in which Egypt won four times: in 2008, 2010, 2014, and 2022.
What's going on, Egypt?
There is no room for error
There is no time for error.
Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon won all three of their group-phase games.
No other team in the 2026 tournament has achieved this, but the brutal reality is that there is no room for error moving forward.
Can they maintain their winning rhythm? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, teams bound for the quarterfinals who tasted defeat will try to capitalize on their losses and contend.
Historically, few teams have won the U18 AfroBasket tournament undefeated. Mali did so in 2024 and 2018, and Angola won the 2016 tournament without losing a single game.
Do you remember when Mali won the 2020 three-team championship with a 2–3 win–loss record?
THAT'S WHAT THE ELIMINATION ROUND IS ALL ABOUT!
Did Rwanda run out of gas?
Less than two weeks after stunning hosts Egypt in the Zone 5 qualifier final in Cairo, Rwanda faced a new reality in the tournament's final round, finishing the group phase with a 0-3 record.
Cameroon
Cameroon has made their second consecutive appearance in the last two decades of the tournament, leaving people wondering what their limits are.
Their runner-up finish in the 2024 tournament and perfect 3-0 record in Group C continue to raise eyebrows.
FIBA