2027 FIBA U19 World Cup: Akhere urges preparation after 53-50 win

Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress defeated hosts Côte d’Ivoire 53-50 in the semi-final of the FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan. The result secured Nigeria’s qualification for the 2027 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in China.

Former U18 D’Tigress coach Juliana Akhere has welcomed the qualification but urged the team and its technical crew to begin planning for the global tournament. She believes the players must be given enough time together before travelling to China.

Akhere said the African championship was a positive campaign, while stressing that qualification should be followed by a properly organised preparation programme. She wants the squad to use that period to build understanding, improve its chemistry and absorb the tactical demands expected at the World Cup.

Nigeria went on to finish the continental championship with the silver medal after booking its World Cup place. Akhere believes the move from African competition to the international stage will require a higher level of readiness, as the Junior D’Tigress will face opponents with different styles and deeper squads.

Her call also focuses on continuity within the group. In her view, keeping the players together for a sufficient period would be more effective than depending only on brief sessions immediately before the tournament. That time would allow the team to address weaknesses identified during the AfroBasket and strengthen its playing structure.

The qualification extends Nigeria’s record of producing teams in the women’s youth categories and gives another group of players a route towards the senior D’Tigress. The next task is for the technical staff to turn the African championship performance into a preparation plan that gives the squad the chemistry and experience required in China.