By Adegoke Adedoyin and Raymond Ebireri
In a thrilling showdown at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, the Nigeria women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, emerged victorious in the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship, securing their fourth consecutive title. The historic achievement was marked by an 84-74 win over their fierce rivals, Senegal.
Led by their recently appointed coach, Rena Wakama, D’Tigress dominated from the start, establishing a nine-point lead at the end of the first quarter. Although Senegal fought back in the second half, winning the third quarter and narrowing the gap, D’Tigress showed resilience, ultimately claiming a ten-point victory.
Amy Okonkwo, the standout player for Nigeria, was crowned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after her stellar performance in the final, amassing 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists.
With this triumph, D’Tigress secured a spot in the women’s basketball competition of the 2024 Olympics, a testament to their consistent excellence in the African continent’s basketball scene.
For Coach Rena Wakama, this victory holds historical significance as she became the first woman to lead a team to an Afrobasket title. Her impact on the team has been evident, and there are high hopes for continued success under her guidance.
The Lionesses of Senegal, on the other hand, faced yet another defeat at the hands of D’Tigress, marking their fourth loss in Afrobasket finals against the Nigerian team (in 2005, 2017, 2019, and 2023).
D’Tigress’ dominance in the Afrobasket Championship has been remarkable, with their reign of victories beginning in 2017. This fourth consecutive title further solidifies their status as a force to be reckoned with in women’s basketball on the African continent.
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