ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - Couda Keita stole the show in the 2026 FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket final, helping Mali secure their second three-peat.
She finished with a game-high 25 points as Mali defeated Nigeria 77–68.
This is the second time Mali has won three consecutive U18 Women's AfroBasket titles, having previously achieved this feat in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
Mali won five of the last six editions of the FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket.
Egypt lifted the trophy on home soil in 2020, but Mali regained their momentum by winning the continental trophy again in 2022, 2024, and 2026.
Two years ago, Mali beat Nigeria 76–56 in the final, but this time around, the Nigerians put up more of a fight and threatened Mali's winning streak.
Maimouna Traoré proved difficult to contain, finishing with 18 points.
Mali finished their campaign undefeated in six games.
Despite Favour Anari's best efforts to keep Nigeria in the game with her lethal shooting and rebounding, Mali weren't prepared to relinquish their title.
Anari's 23 points and 10 rebounds were in vain for Nigeria, a team seeking their first continental trophy in the Under-18 category.
This was Nigeria's third time finishing second in the tournament.
FIBA