Côte d’Ivoire came agonizingly close to upsetting Australia before falling 78-73 after leading for most of the contest, while Cameroon endured a difficult 94-43 defeat to Lithuania on Day 2 of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. Despite contrasting results, both African teams continue gaining valuable experience on the global stage.
Last Updated on
July 1, 2026
Day 2 of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup delivered contrasting fortunes for Africa’s representatives, as Côte d’Ivoire produced another courageous display despite falling narrowly to Australia, while Cameroon suffered a difficult defeat against a clinical Lithuanian side in Istanbul.
Côte d’Ivoire came within touching distance of recording one of the biggest upsets of the tournament before Australia rallied late to claim a hard-fought 78-73 victory.
The young Ivorians once again showcased their talent, athleticism and fearless approach against one of the world’s traditional basketball powers. After a closely contested opening quarter, Côte d’Ivoire seized control in the second period with an impressive 9-0 run sparked by the outstanding Kpadja Barakel Koffi. The surge transformed a 16-16 deadlock into a 25-16 advantage as the West Africans imposed their defensive intensity and capitalized in transition.
Their confidence continued to grow as they extended the lead to 28-18, their biggest cushion of the afternoon. Australia responded before halftime, but Côte d’Ivoire maintained its composure and continued to dictate the rhythm through much of the third quarter. In total, the Ivorians spent more than 27 minutes in front, underlining the quality of their performance against one of the tournament favorites.
Koffi once again delivered an exceptional all-around performance, finishing with a game-high 20 points while contributing 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. His leadership on both ends of the floor kept Côte d’Ivoire in control for long stretches and demonstrated why he has emerged as one of Africa’s standout performers at the competition.
However, Australia found another gear during the closing minutes. After taking the lead with under five minutes remaining, the Oceanians finished the game on a decisive 19-9 run. Timely three-point shooting, accurate free-throw shooting and several costly Côte d’Ivoire turnovers ultimately swung the contest in Australia’s favor.
Despite the heartbreaking result, Côte d’Ivoire left the floor with plenty of encouragement. Their disciplined defense, organized offense and ability to challenge one of the competition’s elite teams for nearly 35 minutes highlighted the tremendous potential within the squad. If they can improve their execution during decisive moments, the Ivorians remain capable of upsetting any opponent as group play continues.
Cameroon, meanwhile, experienced a far more difficult afternoon against an efficient Lithuanian team that controlled proceedings from the opening tip before securing a convincing 94-43 victory.
Lithuania immediately established its rhythm, combining relentless defensive pressure with sharp ball movement to build an early double-digit lead. Guard Kristupas Sabeckas proved instrumental during the opening quarter, producing a rapid scoring burst that gave his side complete control of the contest.
The Young Lions struggled to generate offensive consistency against Lithuania’s physical defense and disciplined rotations. Although Cameroon continued to compete with determination and never stopped battling, turnovers and missed opportunities prevented them from mounting any sustained comeback.
Nolan Ngangmeni was Cameroon’s brightest performer, finishing with a team-high 10 points while displaying determination throughout his 24 minutes on the court. His effort reflected the fighting spirit shown by the Cameroonian side despite facing one of Europe’s strongest youth programs.
Lithuania maintained its intensity throughout the game behind Sabeckas’ 22 points, while Vytis Sliogeris and Simas Rascius each added 12 points in a balanced offensive display that never allowed Cameroon to build momentum.
Although the scoreline was disappointing, the experience offers valuable lessons for the Young Lions. Competing against elite international opposition remains an important step in the development of Cameroon’s next generation of basketball talent, and the coaching staff will look to use the defeat as a learning opportunity heading into the remaining group matches.
With one group game remaining before the knockout rounds, both African nations will aim to finish the group stage on a positive note. Côte d’Ivoire has shown it possesses the quality to compete with the world’s best, while Cameroon will be eager to bounce back, apply the lessons learned, and produce an improved performance as both teams continue their FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup journey.
Photography/Imagery : Courtesy of FIBA
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