August 03, (TheWILL) – Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has reached the finals of the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket in Kigali, Rwanda, marking their fourth consecutive appearance in the ultimate showdown.
In a remarkable semi-final match, D’Tigress overpowered the hosts, Rwanda, with a commanding 79-48 victory on Thursday. Led by Coach Rena Wakama, the Nigerian team displayed maintained their starting five of Amy Okonkwo, Palla Kunaiyi-Akpanah, Elizabeth Balogun, Sarah Ogoke, and Blessing Ejiofor, who dominated the game from the tip-off, securing a staggering 31-point victory.
THEWILL recalls that in the quarter-final clash against Mozambique, D’Tigress narrowly escaped an early scare with a 59-52 triumph, setting the stage for the semi-final showdown with the host nation. The offensive quality of the Nigerians saw them establish a significant 22-8 lead in the first quarter.
Rwanda put out a spirited comeback in the third quarter, but the Nigerian ladies maintained their composure and increased their dominance, heading into half-time with a commanding 44-18 lead. With a final score of 58-35 in the third quarter, D’Tigress regained control in the last quarter, sealing a resounding victory and securing their spot in the final.
Now, D’Tigress stand just one game away from achieving a historic fourth consecutive women’s AfroBasket championship title. Their impressive performance throughout the tournament has positioned them as strong contenders for retaining their title. They will face the winner of the Mali vs. Senegal semi-final in the final scheduled for Saturday.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
