https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B411DXLlPRA

Nigeria reach fourth straight Women's AfroBasket Final

KIGALI (Rwanda) – Nigeria took a huge step towards their fourth consecutive FIBA Women's AfroBasket title, courtesy of a 79-48 win over hosts Rwanda in a Semi-Finals on Thursday.

The defending champions have shown near-perfection in every aspect of the game to reach their fourth final in a row as they muted off Rwanda's ambitions from the tip-off.

Though the hosts led for a total of 1'28 minutes, Nigeria swiftly flexed their muscles and never looked back, even leading by 26 points at one point.

TURNING POINT: As the hosts scored the opening points, they entered a dry spell which saw Nigeria file a 15-0 run. It was only right before the first buzzer that Rwanda scored once again, but Nigeria managed to go up by 16 points.

From that moment, it became clear that Nigeria would be the one making it through to the Championship Game. They relentlessly paved their way to victory and left Rwanda with the hopes of finishing, at best, at the third place.

HERO: Amy Okonkwo led the D'Tigresses to victory with a game-high 23 points, while Olaoluwatomi Taiwo followed with 12 units to her name.

Okonkwo contributed 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists.

STATS DON’T LIE: So many figures speak for Nigeria. First thing: they once again relied on their bench to make a difference, producing 33 points, far more than Rwanda's 6 points.

Similarly, they also used fast breaks points (12) to calm Rwanda's nerves and clinch victory.

To add to this, Nigeria have out-rebounded Rwanda 51-35, with 36 defensive rebounds, while the hosts only recorded 25.

Third, they scored 11 for 24 from behind the arc, with Okonkwo and Taiwo sharing 9 of them.

BOTTOM LINE: Nigeria extend their winning streak in Africa to 23-0 and head towards a fourth consecutive FIBA Women's AfroBasket.

While the team has gone through a revamping, with only four players from the previous edition remaining, questions have arisen as to their ability to reach the Championship Game. With what they displayed on the court, they sure are solid title contenders.

THEY SAID: "I feel relieved honored. The team that won two years ago was a phenomenal team. But I think this team as well can fill those shoes. Under the leadership of coach Rena, we are in a good spot to repeat that win.” Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, Nigeria center.

"There's no secret. But they should be empowered. I believed in them. And I put a lot of confidence. And here we are doing amazing things. Team work and confidence in them, and we see the results." - Rena Wakama, Head coach, Nigeria.

https://www.fiba.basketball/womensafrobasket/2023/news/nigeria-reach-fourth-straight-womens-afrobasket-final

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqYKqp7lkyI



Road to final and stats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEEEEbUKGd8

Picture 1: Amy Okonkwo

Picture 2: Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah

Stats

5. 😁

Congratulations to the team

Mr. Propaganda don collect another N30k to praise sing.

Good job

I don't know why I hate basketball and worst of all na rubby. How person go dey use hand to put ball inside hole and them go still jump use hand torch the hole

Wey i think na military ways...
LIKE LP PARTIES on NLC Beebvest PULLED DOWN the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY'S GATE yesterday... that what a REAL 'TORE' means is

Congrats to them.

Good news

Jst 2 gifted and blessed nation

With all those tall Rwandans?
Nice job Naija

The only set of people with our musician and footballers painting our image good and representing us well globally not the so called polithiefcians

The coach

Imagine working your butt off in 2022 to qualify for the Basketball WC. And then one useless, low IQ, reetarded cattle rearer called Muhammadu Buhari dumbly decides to stop you from participating because of problems with the federation.

I feel sorry for the poor girls!

Buhari, e no go better for you and your lineage for the next thousand years.

Congratulations Nigeria.

The ladies destroyed the host , I pray the lioness no go devour the super falcons like this o

We are facing Senegal in the final.
Go Go Go D'Tigress

Great

The undisputed champion...keep it up galz
To marry basketballer dey sweet for me sha.

Mostly state side based players. Good to see the flow amongst the players. Looking forward to the next female basketball world cup.

Great

Good one girls.

Up Nigeria..

Congratulations.

Nigerians awaits the trophy.
Congratulations to D'Tigress

Original people. Go girls

Gamesmart:
Imagine working your butt off in 2022 to qualify for the Basketball WC. And then one useless, low IQ, reetarded cattle rearer called Muhammadu Buhari dumbly decides to stop you from participating because of problems with the federation.

I feel sorry for the poor girls!

Buhari, e no go better for you and your lineage for the next thousand years.

It was the sport minister not Buhari....since the two faction of the association couldn't put their house in order.

Obi the reactor is coming to react and congratulate them