By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigeria’s female basketball team, D’Tigress, defeated high flying Senegalese side 73-63 points, in the second semi-finals of the 2021 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship to seal the second spot in the final.
They will now defend their title against their West African neighbour, Mali, who narrowly defeated the host, Cameroon, in another thrilling semi-final earlier today.
D’Tigress started the match well, doubling their opponent’s score and winning the first quarter of the encounter 22-11 points.
The Senegalese team came back with vigour in the second quarter, but were subdued by the more gifted Nigerian side, who once again, won the quarter 23-20 points, and ended the first half 45-31points.
Knowing it is crucial to win the third quarter to stay in the game, the Senegalese girls fought harder at the start of the second half, but narrowly lost the quarter to the defending champion, Nigeria , 13-15 points.
Losing by 16 points at the begining of the fourth quarter, the Senegalese team, showed they are no pushovers, by dominated the final quarter and winning it 19-13 points.
However, it was too little too late, as the tournament favourite, Nigeria, qualified for the final, after winning the entertaining encounter 73-63 points.
Players statistics revealed that Nigeria’s Okoronkwo A, was the best player on the night, as she scored 16 points, had seven rebounds and made one assist.
With the triumphs of Nigeria and Mali, the stage is now set for the final of the competition billed for Sunday, September 26, 2021.
