ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) – Nigeria's dominance at the 2024 FIBA Africa Zone 3 U18 AfroBasket Qualifiers will be put to test from July 31-August 4 when Benin, Ghana, Liberia and host Cote d'Ivoire converge at the Par les de sport, Treshville, Abidjan.

NIGERIA

With seven U18 titles under their belt, Nigeria will be attempting to reach their 12th Final Round for an eighth title but that will not be without a fight by the four other countries that have also set their sights on booking a spot in South Africa where the African title as well as a qualification ticket to the FIBA U19 World Championship will be at stake.

COTE D'IVOIRE

Host Cote d'Ivoire have left nothing to chance in their bid to ensure that they make it to the Final Round in South Africa.

In 2023, their U16 team participated in the Zone 3 Qualifiers in Accra, Ghana and finished third behind Nigeria and Ghana went on to represent the Zone in the Final Round in Monastir, Tunisia where Guinea surprised everyone to emerge champions.

The Ivorians finished 6th place at the championship and will endeavour to make up for that performance as they finalize their team preparation. The experience the players gathered will come in handy as Coach Doh Kone is expected to tinker his side to victory with some of the players in that team having graduated from that squad.

Silver medalists in the 2012 edition held in Maputo, Mozambique, Cote d'Ivoire are desirous of returning to the Final Round and will be angling to have a strong performance on home soil with the backing of their fans.

BENIN

Benin, with a rejuvenated youth program, is not one to be overlooked or taken for granted. The Guepardeaux as the team is commonly referred to are looking forward to a back-to-back return to the Final Round as they were at the last edition in 2022 when Madagascar hosted the Championship.

On July 8, the team under the supervision of referee Yasid Bello, Head Coach Gerard Nascimento and assistant coach Christian Atin commenced full-scale training to be ready for the task ahead.

Though Benin was not at the 2023 FIBA Zone 3 U16 Qualifiers in Accra, the Benin Basketball Federation are certain the players selected will hold their own when the Qualifiers begin. Before the team departed Cotonou for Abidjan, the leadership of the Benin Basketball Federation had charged the players to go all out and give their best and be of good conduct.

GHANA

Ghana have had just one appearance in the U18 and back in 2012 when Madagascar hosted the Final Round.

Determined to make a positive impact, the Ghana Basketball Association has embarked on a youth drive to get the right players that will turn around their fortunes.

At the Zone 3 U16 championship they hosted in Accra they gave a good account of themselves. A good number of those players who proved a hard nut to crack have graduated to the U18 team and will not be under the pressure of their home fans. Given their mandate to prove that they are an emerging force, they will be at their best to make this count.

LIBERIA

Fresh from the long absence on the international scene, Liberia will be seeking to make an impression in Abidjan given that this will be their first attempt to make a first Final Round appearance. President of the Liberia Basketball Association Abram Samukai says he is determined to see Liberia make a positive impact on their return.

FIBA