Nigeria's D'Tigress have cemented their status as Africa's basketball powerhouse by clinching their fifth consecutive Women's AfroBasket title with a commanding 78-64 victory over Mali on Saturday.
The triumph marks Nigeria's seventh overall AfroBasket championship and extends their remarkable unbeaten streak in the tournament to 29 games, highlighting their dominance in African basketball.
Match Breakdown
Coach Rena Wakama's squad started strong, dominating the first quarter with a 26-21 advantage over the Malians. The second quarter saw intense competition as Mali fought back to level the score at 41-41 going into halftime.
However, D'Tigress showcased their championship pedigree in the third quarter, regaining control with a 61-56 lead. They maintained their momentum in the final quarter to secure the decisive 78-64 victory and retain their continental crown.
World Cup Qualification
With this victory, Nigeria has automatically qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, which will be hosted by Germany. This qualification further cements D'Tigress' position as Africa's premier women's basketball team.
Meanwhile, three other African nations – Mali, South Africa, and Senegal – will compete in the playoffs scheduled for March 2024 to secure the continent's remaining spot at the World Cup.
The championship victory follows D'Tigress' impressive semifinal win over Senegal (75-68), demonstrating their resilience and skill throughout the tournament.
Prior to the final, Coach Wakama had acknowledged the challenge posed by Senegal but expressed confidence in her team's ability to defend their title, a prediction that has now been fulfilled with the victory over Mali.
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