ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) – When the final of the FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket tournament unfolded, there was little suspense about who would leave Pretoria as champions.
However, the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket tournament showcased both Mali’s dominance and the rapid evolution of women’s basketball across the continent.
Mali swept through the competition unbeaten for the second consecutive time, capturing their eighth continental title with the same blend of athleticism, depth, and offensive ruthlessness that has characterised their supremacy over the past decade.
Led by tournament MVP Oummou Koumare, the West Africans overpowered their opponents and secured one of Africa’s two places at the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup.
The tournament was also shaped by breakthrough moments elsewhere.
Cameroon claimed bronze in their debut appearance; Uganda reached their first ever semi-final; and Nigeria returned to the final for the first time in 14 years.
FIBA.basketball highlights some of the key takeaways from the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket.
Dominant Mali added eighth title to trophy cabinet
Mali cemented their status as Africa's U18 women's basketball powerhouse by winning their eighth AfroBasket title, achieving a perfect record of six wins from six throughout the tournament.
The West African nation secured one of two African spots for the 2025 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Czechia by defeating Nigeria 76-56 in the final to defend their championship.
Mali averaged an impressive 91.5 points per game, leading all teams in efficiency (120.2), steals (27.4 per game) and assists (26.2 per game).
Their semi-final victory over Cameroon was particularly ruthless, ending in a score of 103–45 and showcasing their offensive firepower.
The team's depth was evident throughout the tournament, during which they never faced genuine championship competition.
They closed out the competition with a perfect record, demonstrating why they are the dominant U18 women's programme in African basketball this decade.
Oummou Koumare's MVP performance
Seventeen-year-old forward Oummou Koumare delivered a tournament-defining performance, earning her MVP honours and leading the All-Star team.
She averaged 22.5 points per game (the highest in the tournament), 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists, shooting accurately from three-point range.
She scored in double digits in all six games, culminating in a career-high 31 points against Nigeria in the final, which secured Mali's championship victory.
Koumare also won the tournament's best three-point shooter award. She also finished third in overall efficiency (22.5 EFFPG).
Her leadership was instrumental in Mali's perfect 6–0 record, and she was joined in the All-Star five by teammate Mama Sidiki Doumbia, Nigeria's Idubamo Beggi, Cameroon's Damaris Emedie and Uganda's Resty Nanangwe.
Historic female coaching milestone
The 2024 tournament made history for African basketball as it was the first time that two female coaches had guided their nations to the semi-finals of a major tournament with national teams.
Cameroon's Ange Majolie guided the newcomers to a historic third-place finish, defeating Uganda 70–63 in the bronze medal match.
Meanwhile, Juliana Ojoshogu Negedu of Nigeria returned the team to the U18 AfroBasket stage as silver medallists after a 14-year absence, repeating their podium feat from their last participation despite losing in the gold medal match.
Negedu's Nigeria restored the programme to its former glory with a 3–3 record, finishing as runners-up.
Cameroon's remarkable debut performance
Cameroon made history as first-time participants by reaching the semi-finals and claiming bronze in their debut U18 Women's AfroBasket tournament.
The Central African nation displayed exceptional character and resilience throughout the tournament, with Damaris Emedie delivering outstanding performances.
Emedie averaged 18.3 points and 17.2 rebounds per game (the second-highest average in the tournament), finishing with 110 total points and earning a place in the All-Star team. Her monumental 21-point, 17-rebound double-double in Cameroon's first-ever tournament victory (79–46 against Rwanda) set the tone for their remarkable run.
In the quarter-finals, she delivered 15 points and 19 rebounds in a thrilling 65–63 victory over Angola that secured Cameroon’s spot in the final four.
Despite a crushing 103–45 semi-final defeat to Mali, Cameroon bounced back to defeat Uganda 70–63 and claim the bronze medal, finishing with an overall record of 4–2. They led all teams in rebounds, averaging 60.6 per game.
Uganda's breakthrough Semi-Final appearance
Uganda reached the semi-finals of the FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket for the first time ever, marking a historic milestone for Ugandan basketball.
Guard Resty Nanangwe orchestrated this breakthrough with a masterclass performance, scoring 27 points in the quarter-final victory against Tunisia that secured Uganda's place in the final four.
Nanangwe finished the tournament as the second-highest scorer with an average of 20.3 points per game, and also contributed 12 rebounds and 5 assists in the semi-final defeat to Nigeria.
She was named in the All-Star team and led Uganda in scoring (19 points) and rebounds (9) in their narrow 66-67 semi-final defeat.
Uganda finished fourth overall with a record of 3–3, and had the second-best tournament defence with 26.6 steals per game.
This success represents significant progress in the development of women's basketball in Uganda.
Nigeria's Silver Medal Return
After a 14-year absence, Nigeria returned to the U18 Women's AfroBasket finals, securing silver and their second appearance in the championship game.
Coached by Juliana Ojoshogu Negedu, the young D’Tigresses finished with a record of 3–3, earning them a place at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup.
Guard Idubamo Beggi led the team with 18.2 points per game (fourth overall) and 5.3 assists per game (third overall), earning her a place in the All-Star team.
Her 23-point, 14-rebound performance in the 66-51 quarter-final victory over Egypt was pivotal to Nigeria's success.
Centre Abigail Isaac dominated the boards with 14.0 rebounds per game (fourth overall), recording a double-double in the semi-final.
Although they lost the final 76–56 to Mali, Nigeria's silver medal represents their best U18 women's performance to date.
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