Rwanda’s U18 men’s national basketball team finished 10th at the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, after suffering a 75-48 defeat to Nigeria in the ninth-place classification game on Thursday, August 13.
Rwanda entered the game after securing its first victory of the tournament, beating Gabon 88-83 in the 9th-12th-place classification round. Nigeria, meanwhile, defeated Morocco 84-76 to set up the ninth-place clash with Rwanda.
However, Nigeria dominated the decisive encounter and secured ninth place, leaving Rwanda 10th among the 12 teams competing in the tournament.
Rwanda’s campaign marked another appearance at the continental U18 championship after the team qualified by winning the FIBA Africa Zone 5 U18 Championship in Cairo, Egypt.
The team, coached by Mugabe Aristide, had struggled in the group stage, losing to Senegal, Cameroon and Tunisia before recovering with its victory over Gabon.
Rwanda’s 10th-place finish brings its campaign in Abidjan to an end, while Nigeria moves ahead of the young Rwandan side in the final classification.
The tournament continues with the semi-finals, where defending champions Mali face Senegal, while hosts Côte d’Ivoire take on Cameroon.
