Nigeria’s D’Tigress Clinch AfroBasket Women’s Championship

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, made history today, September 26, 2021, by winning the FIBA AfroBasket Women’s Championship for the third consecutive time. In a hard-fought final, Nigeria defeated Mali 70-59 to retain their title and cement their dominance in African women’s basketball.

The match, held at the Palais Polyvalent des Sports in Yaoundé, saw Nigeria control much of the game, particularly through their defensive prowess. D’Tigress started strong, building an early lead in the first quarter, but Mali responded well, cutting the gap to just six points by halftime.

Nigeria’s captain, Adaora Elonu, led the team with 13 points, while Victoria Macaulay contributed 15 points off the bench. Ezinne Kalu was also instrumental, with a balanced performance of 12 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals, ensuring Nigeria kept Mali at bay. In the final quarter, D’Tigress pulled away with a series of fast breaks and solid defensive stops, sealing the victory.

Mali put up a tough fight, with Sika Koné scoring 15 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, but Nigeria’s experience and depth proved too much to handle. Mali had previously been unbeaten in the tournament, but D’Tigress showed their championship mettle, never allowing their opponents to gain a decisive edge.

This victory marks the fifth AfroBasket Women’s title overall for Nigeria, and the third consecutive one, having previously won the tournament in 2017 and 2019. Head coach Otis Hughley praised the team’s resilience and discipline, noting that their preparation and focus throughout the tournament were key to their success.

D’Tigress’ continued dominance in African basketball has sparked widespread celebration across Nigeria, with fans and sports officials hailing the team’s achievement. This victory also secures Nigeria’s qualification for the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, where the team hopes to make a mark on the global stage.

Nigeria’s win underscores the growing strength of women’s basketball in the country, as the team has consistently performed at the highest level over the past few years.