The J’Tigers, Nigeria’s Under-18 Men’s Basketball team, lost to Mali 81-70 on Thursday night in the quarterfinals, forcing them out of the 2024 Afrobasket U-18 Championship.

The Malians won the first quarter 23-19 and led at the half 40-38, demonstrating that they were ready to battle their Nigerian opponents from the outset.

Mali ultimately prevailed in the game, which was contested in Pretoria, South Africa, despite the J’Tigers’ best efforts to seize the initiative.

The Junior D’Tigers overcame Uganda 72-61 on Tuesday to go to this point, while Mali upset Ivory Coast 73-69.

The champions and runner-ups will earn a spot in the FIBA World Championship, which is scheduled to take place in Switzerland.

In the meantime, the J’Tigress advanced to the semifinals on Wednesday following their quarterfinal victory over Egypt, 61-56.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the outcome meant that on Friday night, the Nigerian women would play Uganda in the semi-finals.

This came following their unexpected 53-67 quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Cameroon on Thursday at the University of Pretoria Gymnasium.

Rwanda got off to a strong start, winning the opening quarter 16–14, but Cameroon rallied to take the second quarter 22–16, leading 36–32 at the half.

Rwanda recovered to win the third quarter 17–15 in the second half, but Cameroon controlled the final quarter 16–4 to send them packing.

The outcome qualified the Cameroonian team for the semifinals.

Amadou Seini of Cameroon led the team with 15 points and 23 rebounds despite having trouble shooting from the field. Hermann Bel Daryl Bay also scored 15 points.

Dylan Kayijuka of Rwanda scored a scorching 19 points, and Sean Mwesigwa chipped in with another 12.