D'Tigress thrash DR Congo to begin Afrobasket title defence
D’Tigress have qualified for the semi-finals of the ongoing 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket in Kigali, Rwanda.
Nigeria defeated Mozambique 59-52 in the quarter-finals on Wednesday to achieve the feat for the fourth consecutive time.
D’Tigress qualified for the quarter-finals after finishing top of Group D with wins over the Democratic Republic of Congo and Egypt — but were slightly off form against the Mozambicans.
Rena Wakama, D’Tigress coach, named a starting five of Amy Okonkwo, Palla Kunaiyi-Akpanah, Elizabeth Balogun, Sarah Ogoke and Blessing Ejiofor for the game, and the girls found themselves trailing 18-16 after the end of the first quarter.
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The contest got tougher in the second quarter for the Nigerians, and the Mozambicans extended the lead to 33-29 at halftime.
D’Tigress resumed the third quarter revitalised, tore through the paltry lead Mozambique, and turned the game around at 47 -39.
In the final quarter, Nigeria kept the momentum and secured a vital seven-point victory to progress to the competition’s semi-final.
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Okonkwo led the Nigerians with 17 points, followed by Balogun, who netted 12 points, and Ifunaya Okoro with 11 points.
Nigeria will face Rwanda in the semi-finals, billed for Thursday.
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