D’Tigress Reach 2023 AfroBasket Final In Style

The Nigerian women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, strolled past Rwanda to reach their 4th successive Women’s AfroBasket final in Kigali.

The Nigerian women beat the hosts of the 2023 edition of the tournament 79-48 in the semifinals on Thursday as they are set to win their 4th AfroBasket championship in a row.

The last time Nigeria lost a game in the tournament was against Cameroon in the Women’s Afrobasket semifinals in 2015. Since then, the D’Tigress have enjoyed 23 games winning streak in the competition.

After beating Egypt in the knockout round, coach Rena Wakama and his girls beat Mozambique 59-52 in the quarter-finals and used the same starting five to knock out the hosts, Rwanda to make it the third time they have lost to Nigeria. Recall that they suffered defeats at the hands of the Nigerian team in 2009 and then in 2011.

In Thursday’s clash, the hosts earned the first points up until Amy Okonkwo handed Nigeria the lead, and maintained it thanks to the ruthless performance of Amy Okonkwo, Palla Kunaiyi-Akpanah, Elizabeth Balogun, Sarah Ogoke, and Blessing Ejiofor from the opening tip.

After one quarter, D’Tigress had amassed a 22-6 lead and handily trounced the Rwandans. The Nigerians extended their lead to 44-18 at the half after dominating the second quarter.

The Rwandans had a solid start to the third quarter, outscoring D’Tigress to retake the lead and finish the period with a 58-35 score.

To progress to the competition’s final, Nigeria took back control in the fourth quarter and triumphed impressively by 31 points. Okonkwo scored 23 points to lead D’Tigress’ scorers’ chart, and Oluwayemisi Taiwo added 12 points.

On Saturday, August 5, the Nigerian team will be looking at breaking Senegal’s record of being the only Women’s team to win the AfroBasket a record four straight times.

Mali and Senegal will clash in the semi-finals today, August 4, and the winner will face Nigeria in the final on Saturday.