Nigeria’s women’s 3×3 wheelchair basketball team made history on Thursday, defeating South Africa 8–3 in the final of the IWBF Africa Qualifiers to secure their first-ever spot at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, www.aclsports.com reports.
The final, held in Luanda, Angola, saw the Nigerian side stage a remarkable turnaround against a team that had beaten them in the group stage. The victory earned them the continent’s sole ticket, making them the first Nigerian team to qualify for wheelchair basketball at the Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August 2026.
After comfortably defeating Kenya 6–2 in the semi-finals, the team, led by captain Ijigbamigbe Gbemisola Olubisi, rose to the occasion in the decisive clash, outplaying the pre-tournament favourites when it mattered most.
The President of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, Seyi Johnson, described the achievement as a defining moment for the sport in the country.
“As President, I feel very fulfilled that we have been able to write history in Nigerian wheelchair basketball. Everyone associated with Nigerian wheelchair basketball, both now and in the past, has every reason to share in this credit, because this is the result of many years of dedication and hard work.”
He also praised the support from the National Sports Commission:
“I must specially thank the leadership of the National Sports Commission under the Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, for the kind of leadership and direction they have brought into Nigerian sports, which is enabling every sport to thrive, regardless of whether they are considered major sports or not.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s men’s wheelchair basketball team narrowly missed out, losing 13–8 to South Africa in the final. Nigeria’s women and South Africa’s men will go on to represent Africa at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
