Nigeria win silver at 2023 FIBA 3×3 African Cup

Nigeria won the silver medal after defeat to Egypt in the final of the 2023 FIBA 3×3 African Cup.

The Nigerians were beaten 18-15 by the host nation in Cairo on Sunday.

Nigeria was represented by the quartet of Deola Folarin, Chima Ukawuba, Kelvin Okundaye and Marcel Esonwune at the competition.

The team defeated Madagascar 17-15 in the semi-final and had previously beaten Senegal 19-17 in the quarter-final, all earlier in the day.

Nigeria’s Ukawuba was named the second player of the tournament. He was beaten to the award by Egypt’s Ramy Basha, while Elly Randriamampionona of Madagascar took third place.

In the women’s category, Kenya stunned Egypt 20-19 to claim the country’s first-ever title on the halfcourt.

The 3×3 is an abridged version of basketball, inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball halfcourt.

The variation of basketball made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The FIBA 3X3 African Cup was first held in 2017, and Nigeria won the maiden edition in Lome, Togo.