Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, defeated Mali 78–64 on Sunday night to claim its fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship title and seventh overall.
The final, held at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, was a fierce contest, but Nigeria showed their class and composure to stretch their remarkable unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games, a streak dating back to 2017.
No other African team has ever clinched five consecutive titles, and with this feat, D’Tigress continue to reign supreme on the continent.
Mali came into the clash eager for revenge after multiple losses to Nigeria in previous editions. They took an early lead, ending the first quarter ahead 26–21, with standout performances from Sika Koné and Amina Dembele. But D’Tigress held firm, weathering the early storm.
Murjanatu Musa broke Nigeria’s early scoring drought, and Victoria Macaulay made key contributions off the bench to stabilise the team. By halftime, Nigeria had clawed back to level terms, 41–41, thanks to strong performances from Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu.
Kalu, a calming presence throughout, finished the game with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while Okonkwo led the team with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in a commanding display that earned her the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award — her second in a row after 2023.
The third quarter proved pivotal as D’Tigress outscored Mali 20–15, tightening their defense and converting big plays. Okonkwo’s crucial three-point play and Kalu’s leadership turned the tide, giving Nigeria a 61–56 lead entering the fourth.
From there, it was all Nigeria. With renewed energy, they finished strong on a 17–8 run, shutting down Mali’s offense and sealing their dominance in style.
Promise Amukamara, Victoria Macaulay, and Musa also played key roles. Macaulay and Musa combined for 22 points and 10 rebounds, underscoring the team’s depth and resilience.
Head Coach Rena Wakama, who made history in 2023 as the first female coach to lead Nigeria to an AfroBasket title, added another feather to her cap with back-to-back championships. Her tactical acumen and leadership were central to the team’s success.
Nigeria have now won the AfroBasket title in 2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025.
President Bola Tinubu, who had praised the team before the final, congratulated them in a post on X shortly after the victory.
“You did it, girls! @DtigressNG Superb performance to become 5x consecutive Champions of Africa and seventh overall. Well done, Coach Rena and the team. You have made Nigeria proud. I am expecting you all, along with the trophy,” the President wrote.
from GistReel https://ift.tt/4M8xP9L
via IFTTT
0 Comments
Post a Comment