Nigeria senior men’s basketball team starter their 2023 #FIBAAfroCan tournament with an had fought victory over Mali at the Pavilhao Multi-purpose Stadium in Launda, Angola
Despite arriving in Luanda 11 hours to the start of the encounter against Mali, the D’Tigress showed resilience and determination as they won by 6 points.
Coach Ogoh Oduadu’s side started the game on a very impressive note as they went on a 13-0 lead in the opening minutes of the first quarter.
The D’Tigers continued their dominance in the first quarter, they led the Malians by double figures as the ended the first quarter with a 20-9 lead.
However, the team regressed in the second quarter as they scored half of the points they scored in the first. The Maliams showed more aggression as they led the D’Tigers 13-10 at the end of the second quarter. The D’Tigers lead by 30-21 going into the half-time break.
The third and final quarters were keenly contested by both sides as the Malians fought had to get back into the game. The third quarter ended 18-17 in favor of Nigeria while Mali won the last quarter 17-14.
A couple of missed free throws by the Malians in the final quarter ensured that D’Tigers won by 6 points otherwise, the match could have gone into overtime.
Nigeria’s Michael Afuwape was the most impressive player on the night. The point guard scored 16 points, made 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Cinefldu Chimbuo also had a good game with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists.
Mali’s Diarouma scored 11 points and 6 assists.
Nigeria will take on host Angola who had earlier defeated Mali 72-55 on Monday 6 p.m Nigerian time.
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