The Nigeria national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have emerged champions of Africa once again after beating Senegal 84-74 in the final of the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket tournament at the BK Arena in Kigali.
Saturday’s victory by D’Tigress is historic as the Nigerian Ladies have become only the second team ever after Senegal to win four consecutive titles.
D’Tigress ended the win drought as they were crowned champions in 2017 after 12 years, they then followed up with victories in 2019, 2021 and now 2023.
Beginning with their first game against Congo DR, the coach Rena Wakama tutored side have continually shown they were gunning for the trophy.
Amy Okonkwo set the tone for D’Tigress in Saturday’s final getting the team the first two points in the first quarter.
D’Tigress controlled the first quarter winning it 19-10 and still had the upper hand in the second quarter though the margin was narrower; winning it 24-21.
With a 43-31 point lead at half time, D’Tigress were halfway through to achieving their target.
But as one would expect, the Senegalese Ladies came fighting back after half time and they indeed won the third quarter; 26-19 to reduce Nigeria’s lead going into the final quarter to just five points.
With all to play for in the last quarter, D’Tigress stepped up their game when it mattered most and they were able to fend off the stiff challenge from the Senegalese ladies.
D’Tigress won the nervy last quarter 22-17 and effectively won the game 84-74.
