The defending champions of the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket, the D’Tigress of Nigeria, allayed any fears of a possible upset with a hard-fought 59-52 victory over Mozambique at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, on Wednesday.
A big third-quarter performance from the five-time champions helped them overturn a four-point first-half deficit as Rena Wakama’s side, led by the electrifying performance of Amy Okonkwo, who finished with 17 points and 6 rebounds, advanced to their fifth semifinal in six years.
In a low-scoring encounter due to both sides poor shooting games, Elizabeth Balogun poured in 12 points for Nigeria, while a 13-point and 10-rebound double-double performance from Tamara Seda led the Mozambicans.
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???????? Senegal clinch a semi final spot after defeating Cameroon ???????? 77-80! ????#AfroBasketWomen pic.twitter.com/H8xjNlIhk0
— FIBA Women's Afrobasket (@afrobasketwomen) August 2, 2023
Earlier in the day, the quarterfinals kicked off with a replay of the fourth-place match in the last edition, with a battle between two Lionesses as Cameroon took on record winners Senegal in an enthralling contest that ended 80-77 in favour of the West Africans.
Senegal received huge help from their bench, with a combined 48 points from their non-starters, spearheaded by 27-year-old guard Cierra Janay Dillard, who finished with a game-high 29 points to go along with six assists and three steals.
Fatou Babou Diagne and Oumoul Coulibaly added 14 points and 11 points, respectively, as Senegal progressed to the semifinals of the tournament at the expense of Cameroon, whose players fought valiantly, but Jessica Thomas’ team-high 22 points and Marina Ewodo’s 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists were not enough to spur on the Central Africans.
Senegal will face 2007 champions Mali in the final four after the latter dispatched Guinea by a comfortable 96-40 scoreline for the biggest win margin of the tournament so far.
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???????? @MaliBasketball eagles ???? dominate their opponent to take a spot to the next round! ????#AfroBasketWomen pic.twitter.com/3MG6OZDfSo
— FIBA Women's Afrobasket (@afrobasketwomen) August 2, 2023
The Eagles, led by Maimouna Haidara’s 17 points and 5 rebounds, made light work of their West African neighbours to reach the semifinals of the Women’s Afrobasket for the fourth year in a row.
Masseny Kaba poured in 17 points for Guinea, but the trio of Fatoumata Sanou (14 points), Djeneba N’Diaye (13 points), and Alima Dembele (10 points) combined for 37 points to suppress her effort.
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Rwanda write history as they reach the semi finals of the #AfroBasketWomen for the very first time! pic.twitter.com/nyWGW1PwJV
— FIBA Women's Afrobasket (@afrobasketwomen) August 2, 2023
Despite Jannon Jaye Otto’s 31-point and 13-rebound double-double, along with Mellissa Akullu’s 16 points and 13 rebounds effort, Uganda fell 66-61 to host country Rwanda, ending their hunt for their first ever triumph in the tournament.
The Rwandans, playing in front of their home fans, clawed back from a huge 11-point deficit in the first quarter to make history and qualify for their first ever appearance in the semifinal.
Ineza Sifa led Rwanda’s charge with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists; Destiney Philoxy and Janai Robertson helped with a combined 31 points to propel them to the last four, where they will play the D’Tigress of Nigeria.
With the matchups between the last four teams settled, the losers in the quarterfinals will face each other in the 5th to 8th place game. Uganda will take on Mozambique, while Cameroon and Guinea will lock horns on the hardwood on Thursday, August 3, alongside the semifinal ties.
