Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – Host nation Ivory Coast made a dream start to the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket, cruising to a dominant 104-51 victory over Chad in their Group A opener at the Palais des Sports de Treichville.
Backed by their home crowd, the Young Elephants showcased their athleticism, defensive intensity, and offensive firepower, overwhelming Chad from start to finish to claim an emphatic 53-point victory.
A One-Sided First Half
After a brief feeling-out period, Côte d’Ivoire quickly imposed its rhythm through relentless defensive pressure and fast-break execution.
Coach Stephane Konate’s squad forced numerous turnovers and converted them into easy transition baskets, steadily building a comfortable lead against a Chadian side that struggled to match the hosts’ pace and physicality.
By halftime, the Young Elephants had already taken firm control of the game, leaving little doubt about the eventual outcome.
** Côte d’Ivoire’s Offense Fires on All Cylinders**
The hosts displayed impressive offensive balance, with several players reaching double figures.
Nathan Djako and Karl-Randell Kouame-Zeze led all scorers with 19 points each.
Djako also contributed:
1 rebound
4 steals
50% shooting from the field
Kouame-Zeze filled the stat sheet with:
19 points
5 rebounds
4 steals
66.7% shooting
A team-high efficiency rating of 23
Inside the paint, Deh-Dimitri Azema provided a strong presence, finishing with:
13 points
62.5% shooting
A +23 plus/minus rating
Point guard Jason Ake orchestrated the offense brilliantly, recording:
10 points
9 assists
7 rebounds
A game-best efficiency rating of 24
Defensive Dominance
Beyond scoring 104 points, Côte d’Ivoire’s defensive effort was equally impressive.
The Young Elephants consistently disrupted Chad’s offense by forcing turnovers and controlling the boards throughout the game.
Their defensive performance included:
17 steals
A clear rebounding advantage
Sustained defensive pressure over all four quarters
The team’s depth also allowed the coaching staff to rotate players without any drop in intensity.
A Perfect Start for the Hosts
The convincing victory gives Côte d’Ivoire an ideal start to its home AfroBasket campaign and builds confidence heading into the remaining Group A fixtures.
With a passionate home crowd behind them, the Young Elephants have already sent a strong message to the rest of the tournament—they intend to be serious contenders for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket title.
With this dominant opening victory, the hosts begin their quest for continental glory in the best possible fashion, delighting the home fans in Abidjan with a commanding performance.