Magical Beggi powers Nigeria to U18 Women's AfroBasket final

Idubamo Beggi was the star attraction as she conjured magic and displayed great basketball genius to inspire Nigeria to a 71-67 win over Uganda in the semis of the 2024 U18 Women's AfroBasket.

Nigeria had dwindled into oblivion after a second place in 2010. After being out of the continental scene for 14 years, they were hoping to return with a bang while Uganda had equaled their best record, a fifth-place finish two years ago, by making it to the final four.

It was thus two teams with revamped ambitions that clashed and early on, the Nigerians showed grit, taking a quick 5-0 lead two minutes into the first quarter but Uganda's Resty Nanangwe, not one to entertain the Nigerian domination, quickly cut the deficit with three out of four free throws converted in quick succession and then ensued a tale of back forth with Nigeria taking a lead and Uganda quickly dwarfing it.

‍

The Ugandans morphed their game into sensational pick and roll, taking the lead when Resty Nanangwe courtesy of two free throws gave Uganda its first lead in the game 18-17, 47 seconds to the end of the quarter but a jump shot from Doyinsola Lijirin and a lay up from Idubamo Beggi secured Nigeria a 21-20. Uganda's Resty Nanangwe despite scoring 9 points was on the losing end.

The second quarter started just like the first ended, in an extremely tight contest. The Nigerians switched the defense up, attacking aggressively and stunning the Ugandans but the East Africa quickly weathered the storm, giving Nigeria their pound of flesh and keeping a tight leash on them. When both teams headed to the locker room at halftime, Nigeria was up by 5 points courtesy of their 45-39 edge.

By the time the third quarter resumed, Nigeria's Idubamo Beggi was a woman on fire, bosing the court, and taking the game to a resilient Ugandan defense as she scored 10 points in that quarter but the Ugandans were not letting Nigeria get away with this and the team hung in, maintaining their deficit at 7 points.

The fourth quarter however brought to the fore the exciting basketball the Ugandans have accustomed basketball aficionados with in this competition. While the Ugandans combined well, they seemed to have lost their shooting mojo, only converting 55.9% of their chances from the charity line failing to capitalize on Nigeria's turnovers and banking on second-chance attempts. When within 10 seconds, 2:20 to the end of the game and with Nigeria leading 68-64, Uganda missed two three-pointers and a layup, their shooting misfortunes became evident and by the time the game ended with Nigeria winning 71-67, the Ugandans gnashed their teeth ruing their missed chances.

Nigeria's pragmatism was incarnated by Idubamo Beggi who scored an unprecedented 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists to fire the West Africans to their second final.

Uganda outrebounded Nigeria 51-47 with three players Resty Nanangwe (16 points), Bushira Namayanja (13 points), and Christine Namyolo (13 points) hitting double digits.

Uganda will seek a consolatory third place against Cameroon while Nigeria will face tournament favorites and eight-time champions Mali in the tournament's final.

‍

[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]