D’Tigress pip Senegal to have once again proven their dominance on the African basketball stage, booking a place in yet another AfroBasket Women’s final after a breathtaking semifinal victory over Senegal in Abidjan.
In a high-stakes clash, Senegal held an 8-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
But true to their fierce nickname, D’Tigress roared back with unmatched intensity and determination, turning the tide and sealing a dramatic 75-68 comeback win.
After a close first half that ended 3-37 (22 – 17 and 21- 20 points) in favour of Nigeria, the Senegalese totally dominated the third quarter, 21-9 points, to go into the final quarter with a six-point advantage.
However, Rene Wakama’s girls turned the screw again to see off the game with a devastating 13-point margin.
D’Tigress Pip Senegal: Difference in Quarters
Two important steals in the 4th quarter brought Nigeria back to life.
With 1.42s to play and a one-point lead (67-66), Kalu stole the ball from Lena Timera and finished with a fast-break two-pointer.
A hook shot by Victory Macaulay gave Nigeria a 69-66 lead, which was technically insurmountable.
Nigeria prevailed, beating Senegal for the seventh consecutive time since 2011 and reaffirming their dominance on the continent.
With this victory, Nigeria extended their Women’s AfroBasket winning streak to 28 games, dating back to October 2015, when they defeated Angola in the third-place game in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Nigeria will play Mali, led by WNBA player with the Mystics, Sika Kone, in the Afrobasket women’s final.
Meanwhile, Mali returns to the AfroBasket Women’s final after defeating debutants, South Sudan, 76-50.
Sunday’s final is a repeat of the 2021 final in Cameroon, which D’Tigress won 70-59.
