Defending champions Nigeria’s D’Tigress have navigated their way into the semi finals of the FIBA Women Afrobasket Championship in Kigali, Rwanda.
D’Tigress under the stewardship of coach Rena Wakama reached the last four at the expense of Mozambique who they defeated 59-52 in the last quarter final match played on Wednesday.
The ladies from the southern end of the continent were more clinical in the first and second quarters winning by 2 points in each of the quarters, 18-16, 15-13.
After the break, Amy Okonkwo who had a solid outing pushed D’Tigress to take the third quarter and erase the 4 points lead established by the Mozambicans with an 18-10 points win before wrapping up with the fourth decisive quarter win 12-9.
26 year old Maccabi HaIfa of Israel forward, Amy Okonkwo played a key role in D’Tigress win over Mozambique, scoring 17 points, Elizabeth Balogun contributed 12 points, and Sarah Ogoke finished just one point shy from a double digit. Nearly every Nigerian ended the game with at least two points to their name.
Nigeria also made the difference on free throws ratio. With 14 for 18 free throws, they were better off than Mozambique’s 16 for 24 attempts.
This win over Mozambique, means Nigeria have extended their winning streak to 22 in Africa.
Nigeria’s guard Sarah Ogoke was full of praise for her team mates. “Mozambique are a great team, credit to them for putting up such a game. But we stayed together and we made it through.”
Ogoke, the three-time Afrobasket Championship winner is satisfied with Wednesday result. “So it’s going to be very difficult. Looking back on today’s win, whether it’s one point or 15 points, it’s still a win. We’re on to the next round and we will try to get us to the Final and to the WOQT.”
Nigeria will now face host Rwanda in the semi final. Rwanda accounted for the exit of Uganda in the quarter finals 66-61 points.
“For our semi-final, we’re going to be playing against the stadium, against the fans, against the entire country. We definitely have what it takes to make it four titles in a row and we have a way of making things happen. And we’ll find a way.” Sarah Ogoke, shooting guard who plays her club basketball with Ferroviário de Maputo said.
Mali will meet Senegal in the other semi final on Thursday. This is the second time both teams are meeting each other in this Championship.
Mali whitewashed Senegal 72-49 in a group C game on Sunday to advance into the quarter finals.
On the other hand the 11 time Champions, Senegal finished first from the bottom in group C and needed a qualification game win against Egypt to reach the last eight.
To reach the semi final Senegal defeated Cameroon 80-77 in the first quarter final game on Wednesday.
Mali advanced to the semi final after they crush their West African neighbors, Guinea in the second quarter final game decided on Wednesday at the BK Arena in Kigali by 96-40 points.
The ladies from Bamako hammered hapless Guinea in a one-sided encounter, 24-8, 23-12, 22-11 and 27-9.
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