Nigeria has clinched the 2023 Women’s Afrobasket championship, marking an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory in the prestigious tournament.
D’Tigress, the Nigerian women’s national basketball team, triumphed over Senegal with a final score of 84-74 in an intense showdown held at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.
This victory has firmly etched Nigeria’s name in history as only the second African team, following in the footsteps of Senegal’s dominance from 1974 to 1981, to secure four consecutive titles in the competition.
The impressive journey began with Nigeria claiming the championship crown in 2017, followed by triumphant victories in 2019 and 2021, setting the stage for their recent feat in Kigali.
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The game kicked off on a promising note for Nigeria, dominating the first quarter with a 19-10 lead. By halftime, D’Tigress maintained their advantage with a score of 43-31.
Although Senegal made a spirited comeback in the third quarter, taking the lead with a score of 62-57, the determined Nigerian team, led by Coach Rena Wakama, rallied together to seize control in the final quarter. Their collective effort culminated in a commanding 10-point victory.
Saturday’s remarkable four-peat also carries significance beyond the court. Coach Rena Wakama’s leadership has solidified her place as the first female coach to claim victory in the Women’s Afrobasket competition. This historic achievement comes just a few months after her appointment to helm the team.
Amy Okonkwo, a standout player for Nigeria, further etched her name in the annals of the championship by earning the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade. Her outstanding performance throughout the tournament, especially on the East African terrain, earned her this prestigious recognition.
During the journey to the final, D’Tigress exhibited their prowess by overpowering the host nation, Rwanda, in addition to securing a victory over Mozambique in the quarter-finals.
