Nigeria’s women’s basketball national team, the D’Tigress got off to a winning start in their title defence, recording a comfortable 69-35 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo in the opening game of this year’s Women’s Afro Basketball Championship on Friday.
The defending champions led by Rena Wakama, landed in Kigali, Rwanda, on Wednesday, just two days to the kick off of the tournament and amid numerous distractions, the side executed their task in grand style.
The team exerted their dominance right from the start at the BK Arena with an early 16-8 first quarter lead. The second quarter closer as Congolese side mounted a comeback but the D’Tigress ensured their led remained with a 13-10 scoreline to take heading into the half time break with an eleven-point lead.
#ICYMI Nigeria's???????? D'Tigress kicked off their title defense with a comfortable 69-35 win over DR Congo???????? in this year's #AfroBasketWomen ????????
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(????:@afrobasketwomen)#Afrosport #basketball #DTigress #NBBF pic.twitter.com/1K64qeKJ4D
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) July 28, 2023
In second half, the Central Africans couldn’t come anywhere near the brilliant display from Nigeria, who led 17-14 in third quarter before limiting their opponents to just 3 fourth quarter points in a stunning 23-3 round to end the game tie.
22-year-old Elizabeth Balogun (11 points) and Ifunaya Okoro (11 points) led the D’Tigress in scoring with a combine 22 points to go along with 10 points apiece from Sarah Ogoke and Tomi Taiwo.
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah led the team in rebounds (10) and efficiency (+15) while Okoro and Balogun showed their defensive prowess with a team-high four steals and two blocks respectively.
For DR Congo led by the experienced Bellarmin Sabwe, Gracia Nguz led all scorers with a game-high 12 points while 35-year-old Ginette Mfutila Makiese ended the game with 11 rebounds and two steals for a +13 efficiency.
Nigeria, who won their sixth straight game against DR Congo, currently top Group D with two points while the Leopards have just one point.
DR Congo will play Egypt next on Saturday, July 29, before Nigeria’s D’Tigress take on the Egyptians on Sunday, July 30 AT 2pm WAT.
