D’Tigress stun Ivory Coast to qualify for Afrobasket semi-finals

D’Tigress have qualified for the semi-finals of the ongoing 2021 FIBA women’s Afrobasket in Yaounde, Cameroon.

The Nigerians defeated Ivory Coast 72-56 in the quarter-finals on Thursday to achieve the feat for the third consecutive time.

Nigeria qualified for the quarter-finals after finishing top of group B with wins over Mozambique and Angola and then maintained their high-flying form against the Ivorians.

Otis Hughley, D’Tigress coach, named a starting five of Adaora Elonu, Oderah Chidom, Ezinne Kalu, Victoria Macaulay and Ify Ibekwe for the game, and the girls quickly made their ruthless intent known by establishing a 14-0 lead in the first five minutes.

The Ivorians struggled to keep the Nigerians at bay and lost the first quarter 24-8.

D’Tigress picked the second quarter from where they stopped, added another 19 points and finished halftime with a 43-21 lead.

Nigeria then opened a massive 24-point lead in the third quarter, but a little bluntness in the last quarter saw the Ivorians began closing the gap.

D’Tigress snapped out of their blues to finish the game 72-56 to advance into the competition’s semi-finals.

Kalu led the Nigerians with 17 points, followed by Amy Okonkwo, who netted 13 points, and Macaulay with 11.

Nigeria will face the winner of the second quarter-final game between Senegal and Mozambique in the semi-finals billed for Friday.