By Yakubu Uzoma Muhammad
The Women Basketball Team of Nigeria, D’Tigress are the Champions of Africa for the third straight time after defeating their West African counterparts Mali in a tightly contested game at the FIBA Afro Women Basketball in Yaounde, Cameroon.
The Defending Champions started the game at a frantic pace just like they did in the Semi-Final against Senegal by taking the Malians to the cleaners in the First quarter 11-22.
The Malians came back stronger to win the second quarter 13-9.
But D’Tigress came back flying again after a tough Halftime Pep Talk from Coach Otis Hughley to comfortably win the third quarter 14 – 28.
The fourth quarter was a repeat of the Semi-Final against Senegal where they allowed their opponents to dominate and win the quarter 21-11, but D’Tigress did enough to hang on to the win.
The stars of the show were Ifunaya Ibekwe, Ezinne Kalu, and Adaora Elonu who got 13, 13, and 12 points respectively.
Ezinne Kalu alongside Captain of the Team Adaora Elonu was named in the All-Star Team of the Tournament. While Adaora Elonu also went home with the Most Valuable Player of the competition.
D’Tigress are now Five times African Champions after winning the competition in 2003, 2005, 2017 2019, and 2021.
