Chad completed a remarkable turnaround at the FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone 4 Qualifiers in Malabo, bouncing back from an opening defeat to win five straight games and secure qualification for the 2026 continental championship. Their dominant victory over Gabon in the final confirmed their place among Africa’s elite youth teams.
Last Updated on
June 10, 2026
With Cameroon already assured of a place in the final round of the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket after finishing runners-up at the 2024 edition, the spotlight shifted to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where five nations battled for the only remaining qualification ticket available to Zone 4.
From 29 May to 4 June, hosts Equatorial Guinea welcomed Chad, Gabon, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo for a highly competitive regional qualifying tournament. Each team arrived with ambitions of securing a place at Africa’s premier youth basketball championship, scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with the official dates yet to be confirmed.
The tournament carried significant importance for several participating nations. Over the last decade, Gabon had been the only Zone 4 nation apart from Cameroon to appear in the FIBA U18 AfroBasket, finishing 11th at the 2016 edition in Kigali, Rwanda. The Republic of Congo sought a return to the continental stage for the first time since 2010, while the Central African Republic aimed to end an even longer absence dating back to 2008. For Chad and Equatorial Guinea, qualification would represent a rare and memorable achievement after decades away from the competition.
The week-long event produced thrilling basketball and closely contested encounters. Of the 14 games played in Malabo, eight were decided by ten points or fewer, highlighting the competitiveness and growing standard of youth basketball in Central Africa.
Chad’s campaign began with a setback as they suffered a narrow 68-65 defeat against the Republic of Congo. However, rather than derailing their ambitions, the loss appeared to inspire the Chadian side. Under the guidance of coach Alain Asnal, Chad responded with remarkable resilience, winning five consecutive games to complete a stunning turnaround and secure qualification for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket.
Their path to the title included a crucial 84-81 victory over Gabon during the group phase, a result that would prove significant later in the tournament. Chad continued to build momentum throughout the competition, displaying discipline, athleticism, and impressive teamwork on both ends of the floor.
Gabon also enjoyed an excellent tournament, advancing to the final with a strong 4-1 record. The Gabonese side consistently demonstrated their quality and experience, reaching the championship game after defeating the Central African Republic 71-64 in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Chad booked their place in the final by overcoming the Republic of Congo 52-46 in another tightly contested encounter.
The championship game at the Polideportivo de Malabo ultimately belonged to Chad. Having already defeated Gabon once in the tournament, they entered the final full of confidence and quickly established control. Chad dominated three of the four quarters, opening with an impressive 24-12 first-quarter advantage before extending their lead through 22-17 and 22-11 runs in the second and third periods. Although Gabon claimed the final quarter 18-17, the result was never seriously in doubt as Chad cruised to an emphatic 85-58 victory.
The final showcased the brilliance of Ngaba Yaya, who delivered one of the most dominant individual performances of the tournament. The Chadian forward finished with a game-high efficiency rating of 49, recording a spectacular double-double of 27 points and 28 rebounds while also adding a blocked shot. His presence on both ends of the court proved decisive and earned him widespread recognition as one of the competition’s standout performers.
Ngaba received valuable support from Mahamat Ousmane and Junior Djibrine, who contributed 24 and 16 points respectively. Together, the trio powered an offensive display that Gabon struggled to contain. For the runners-up, Ray Darel Biyamba led the scoring with 19 points, but the lack of additional offensive support prevented Gabon from mounting a serious challenge.
Behind the two finalists, the Republic of Congo secured third place after defeating the Central African Republic 83-62. Roland Goma led the Congolese effort with 21 points and four rebounds, helping his side finish the tournament with a respectable 3-3 record.
The Central African Republic finished fourth. Despite missing out on a podium finish, they produced some encouraging performances, including an 88-86 victory over Equatorial Guinea and a 72-60 triumph against the Republic of Congo during the competition.
For hosts Equatorial Guinea, the tournament proved difficult. The team failed to register a victory, losing all four of their games and missing out on the semi-finals. Nevertheless, hosting the event provided valuable experience for their young players and demonstrated the country’s commitment to developing basketball at the youth level.
As the celebrations continue for Chad, attention now turns to the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket in Côte d’Ivoire. Their remarkable recovery from an opening-game defeat to eventual champions of the Zone 4 qualifiers reflects the character and potential of this talented generation. With confidence high and valuable experience gained in Malabo, Chad will now have the opportunity to test themselves against the continent’s best young basketball nations on Africa’s biggest youth stage.
