Semi-finalists Emerge as FIBA Africa Zone 3 U17 Academies Tournament Reaches Climax in Lagos

The race for glory intensified at the inaugural FIBA Africa Zone 3 U17 Academies Tournament in Lagos, as semi-finalists emerged on the second day of action-packed basketball games.

The tournament, hosted at the Dolphins Female Basketball Foundation, has become a hub of energy, sportsmanship, and raw youth talent.

The competition, which tipped off on July 5 and runs until July 8, saw young athletes from academies across Nigeria battle fiercely in a series of quarter-final clashes.

The stakes were high, and so was the level of skill on display as teams sought a place in the final four.

The boys’ category saw Raptors narrowly edge M2 Academy 12–10, while Beavers outplayed Anjorin 16–12.

Maktown pulled off a composed 15–12 win over a spirited Impression side, and Warlords secured a 15–7 victory against O’Connell to book their place in the semi-finals.

In the girls’ division, the day was equally eventful. Victoria Queens proved too strong for TABA, winning 18–6.

Amazon edged both Impression (7–4) and McSpencer (13–11) in tightly contested encounters. McSpencer earlier defeated Anjorin 10–7, while Impression returned later in the day to register a commanding 20–2 win over Anjorin.

Col. Sam Ahmedu (Rtd), President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, praised the quality of play and reaffirmed the tournament’s developmental purpose.

“This tournament is not just about competition,” he said. “It is about learning, growth, and creating a foundation for young players to understand what they need to improve on. Integrity and character must take precedence over the desperate quest for victory.”

Amidst the flurry of competition, the atmosphere took a brief celebratory turn as officials, coaches, players, and friends gathered to mark Col. Ahmedu’s birthday. Members of the Warriors Academy and A’s Ahmedu Foundation led the occasion, recognising his enduring contribution to basketball development across the continent.

Now with only four boys’ teams and top-performing girls’ teams left standing, anticipation is building for the final rounds. The tournament has already served as a scouting ground for future stars and set a precedent for more inclusive and consistent youth competitions across West Africa.

Hosted by Warriors Basketball Academy, this inaugural edition underscores FIBA Africa Zone 3’s renewed commitment to youth engagement and talent tracking.

The participating players are already being integrated into a regional database to facilitate long-term monitoring and prevent future age falsification.

As Lagos braces for the final showdowns, all eyes remain on the emerging semi-finalists whose journey thus far has exemplified grit, teamwork, and the spirit of the game.