Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigresses, took a significant stride towards claiming their fourth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title with an impressive 79-48 victory over hosts Rwanda in the semi-finals on Thursday.
The defending champions showcased their near-perfection in every aspect of the game, storming into their fourth final in a row and thwarting Rwanda’s ambitions from the outset.
Although Rwanda led for a brief 1 minute and 28 seconds, Nigeria quickly asserted their dominance, building a commanding lead of 26 points at one stage.
The turning point in the game came when the hosts scored the opening points, only to experience a dry spell as Nigeria launched a remarkable 15-0 run. Rwanda managed to score once before the first quarter buzzer, but Nigeria had already established a 16-point advantage.
From that moment, it became apparent that Nigeria was destined for the championship game. The team relentlessly pushed towards victory, leaving Rwanda to contend for, at best, third place.
Leading the charge for Nigeria was Amy Okonkwo, who delivered a game-high 23 points, accompanied by Olaoluwatomi Taiwo with 12 points to her name. Okonkwo also made significant contributions in rebounds, steals, and assists.
Several statistics favored Nigeria, showcasing their strength and depth. Notably, their bench players contributed 33 points compared to Rwanda’s 6 points, emphasizing the team’s reliance on the entire roster.
Additionally, Nigeria capitalized on fast break points (12) to subdue Rwanda’s resistance and secure their win. The rebounding game was also dominated by Nigeria, out-rebounding Rwanda 51-35, with 36 defensive rebounds against the host’s 25.
From beyond the arc, Nigeria was lethal, scoring 11 out of 24 three-pointers, with Okonkwo and Taiwo contributing 9 of those shots.
With this victory, Nigeria extends its unbeaten streak in Africa to 23-0 and bolsters its status as strong contenders for the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title.
Despite significant changes in the team, with only four players remaining from the previous edition, Nigeria has shown their ability to reach the championship game. Coach Rena Wakama expressed confidence in her team, empowering them to achieve remarkable results.
Nigeria center Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah expressed relief and honor, believing that this team has what it takes to fill the shoes of the phenomenal squad that won two years ago.
With solid teamwork and belief in their abilities, Nigeria is well-positioned to repeat their previous victory and claim yet another FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title.
