Nigeria’s women’s senior basketball team DTigress have qualified for the final of the 2023 Women’s Afrobasket final after a comprehensive victory over host nation, Rwanda at the BK Arena in Kigali.
The DTigress, after a not too convincing display against Mozambique in the semi-final where they lost the first two quarters, coach Rena Wakama’s side started the game against the host nation like a house on fire despite the massive support from the home fans.
Even though Rwanda scored the first bucket of the match, the DTigress took over from them immediately and went on rampage thereafter. While the team were not too impressive from the 2-point line , they took advantage of their shooting outside of the arc as they recorded 57% of their shooting. The team were also ruthless from the free throw line with 100% shooting. The first quarter ended 22-6 in favour of Nigeria.
The defending champions started from where they stopped in the first quarter as they cofree throws. ntinued to rain in more baskets from deep and within the arc as the home fans watch helplessly as their team struggled to do the same. DTigress recorded 50% success rate from shooting outside of the arc, 70% from the free throw line and 42% from the 2-point line.
The home side eventually woke up from their slumber in the third quarter as Destiney Philoxy terrorized the DTigress defense. Rwanda outscored Nigeria in both 2-point and 3-point field goals as well as free throws. The third quarter ended 17-14 in favour of Rwanda but Nigeria still led the scores 58-35.
Nigeria showed dominance once again in all fronts as they recorded 50% from the 2 and 3-points field goals as well as free throws. The final quarter ended in favour of the five-time champions as they recorded a comprehensive 79-48 victory to progressive to a fourth consecutive final.
Amy Okonkwo was impressive once again for the team as she scored 23 points, made 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Tomi Taiwo had 12 points as well as Elizabeth Balogun, Kunaiyi-Akpana Pallas who had 9 rebounds.
Nigeria will take on the winner between former champions Senegal or Mali in the final as look to equal’s Senegal’s record of wining the competition four times in a roll. The Senegalese achieved the feat between 1974 and 1981.
