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

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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 12โ€“10, while Beavers outplayed Anjorin 16โ€“12.

Maktown pulled off a composed 15โ€“12 win over a spirited Impression side, and Warlords secured a 15โ€“7 victory against Oโ€™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 18โ€“6.

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

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

โ€œThis tournament is not just about competition,โ€ he said. โ€œIt 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.โ€

Amidst the flurry of competition, the atmosphere took a brief celebratory turn as officials, coaches, players, and friends gathered to mark Col. Ahmeduโ€™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 boysโ€™ teams and top-performing girlsโ€™ 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 3โ€™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.

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