Nigeria Women’s basketball team, the D’Tigress, defeated eleven-time champions Senegal 84-74 in the final of the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket at the BK Arena on Saturday.
Despite all the turmoil surrounding their preparation, newly-appointed head coach Rena Wakama galvanised the ladies to victory as they claim a fourth straight title and their sixth overall crown as African champions.
Nigeria ???????? are Champions of Africa ???? at #AfrobasketWomen for the sixth time.
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2023 ????#Afrosport #Nigeria #DTigress #FIBAAfrica #Basketball pic.twitter.com/T6t3ofRQiS— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) August 5, 2023
The defending champions, who went unbeaten and improved their winning streak in the competition to 24-0, overcame a late scare in third and fourth quarters as they held on for victory in front of a packed Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.
Ifunaya Okoro scored a team-high 16 points; sharpshooter Elizabeth Balogun poured in 15 points and shot 3-of-5 from the 3-point line; the impressive Amy Okonkwo added 14 points and 8 rebounds while Sarah Ogoke got 13 points and defensive stalwart Murjanatu Musa ended with 10 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks as the D’Tigress withstood a fourth quarter barrage from the Senegalese.
For Senegal, Cierra Dillard finished with a game-high 19 points, Yacine Diop added 16 points, Oumoul Coulibaly (12 points) and Fatou Pouye (11 points) combined for 23 points as the Teranga Lionesses lost for the fourth consecutive time to Nigeria in the final.
In the third place match, Mali put behind a first quarter scare to defeat hosts Rwanda 89-51 and ensure a podium finish.
The 2007 winners were led by Alima Dembele’s 14 points as every member of the Malian side recorded a score in what was a very dominant performance.
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???????? Mali eagles ???? finish 3⃣rd in this year's #AfroBasketWomen! ???? pic.twitter.com/92JJgIdNrp
— FIBA Women's Afrobasket (@afrobasketwomen) August 5, 2023
Sika Kone got 10 points and 7 rebounds while Djeneba N’Diaye dished out a team-high six assists along with her 13 points to help Mali win the bronze medal for the third time in four years.
Destiney Philoxy recorded a game-high 17 points while Janai Robertson poured in 12 points and seven rebounds for the hosts who enjoyed their best outing at the Women’s Afrobasket.
