Nigeria’s D’Tigress were crowned Champions of Africa for the third time in the AfroBasket Women’s Championship after they rallied from a first quarter slump to dethrone Senegal with a 65-48 points win inside the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maïga in Bamako on Sunday.
Head Coach Sam Vincent picked his second title after he guided Nigeria to a first ever crown 14-years ago.
In 2003 Nigeria defeated hosts Mozambique 69-63, but bettered that campaign with a 65-48 win and a championship record of 8-0 streak.
🇳🇬 @itsCheeks_ from #CurryRange 🙌! @nbbfonline#AfroBasketWomen2017 Final pic.twitter.com/NheGM5m2P8
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 27, 2017
The victory is a double celebration for Ladies, who booked a ticket for the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup and also claimed a maiden continental championship; the first for all the players.
Nigeria last won the tournament in the 17th edition held in 2005 in Abuja and this latest victory, was greeted with scenes of ecstasy by the players, who wildly jubilated at the sound of the buzzer to end the thrilling finale.
But it almost did not go according to the script after the Nigerians slumped to a first quarter 12-18 defeat to the Senegalese ladies, who burst loose netting three points and holding their foes at bay.
The strong play by the Senegalese forced the Nigerians to reassess their strategy, which paid off as they won the second quarter 21-10 With the Nigerian ladies on the ascendancy.
Senegal were pushed back, which only worked in the favour of the D’Tigress, who took the third quarter 15-7.
With their feet firmly pressed on the gas, D’Tigress capped up a memorable night in Mali, with a dominant performance in the fourth quarter, which they won 17-13, taking their haul for the night to 65-48.
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