The Nigerian senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, demonstrated their prowess once again in the ongoing 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament, securing a convincing victory against Egypt and booking their spot in the quarterfinals.
On a Sunday showdown at the BK Arena, D’Tigress unleashed their determination to clinch an unprecedented fourth consecutive continental title.
They proved their mettle by outplaying Egypt with a resounding 83-65 triumph, ensuring their early qualification to the last eight stage of the tournament.
The match witnessed D’Tigress taking control from the outset, gaining an 18-10 lead in the first quarter and extending it further in the second quarter, finishing with a commanding 24-13 advantage.
However, the third quarter saw Egypt make a valiant effort to narrow the gap, securing a 19-14 win in that period.
As the tension escalated in the fourth quarter, the North Africans fought desperately to regain ground.
Yet, D’Tigress exhibited unwavering determination, maintaining their composure and sealing the game with a strong finish. The final quarter ended with a score of 27-23 in favor of D’Tigress, sealing their comprehensive victory at 83-65.
The standout performance came from Amy Okonkwo, who led the scoring with an impressive 29 points and 13 rebounds, steering D’Tigress to their well-deserved triumph and securing their spot in the quarterfinals.
Murjanatu Musa also shone brightly with her valuable 18-point contribution, while Nicole Enabosi added 10 points to her name, registering double figures.
This win marks Nigeria’s third consecutive victory over Egypt, following their previous triumphs in 2015 and 2017. The Nigerian team’s dominant performance has undoubtedly solidified their reputation as a formidable force in women’s basketball in Africa.
With Nigeria safely advancing to the quarterfinals, Egypt and DR Congo will now face a challenging qualifying round to determine if they can join Nigeria in the next stage or head back home.
