Nigeria on Sunday night at the packed Palais des Sports Salamatou Maiga, Bamako, Mali, won the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket for the third time, as they silenced reigning champions, Senegal 65-48 in the 2017 final.
The Sam Vincent ladies who finished the competition unbeaten in eight games had shocked hosts Mali 48-47 on Saturday night to book ticket to the 2018 World Cup in Spain alongside Senegal.
Sunday’s final in Bamako, was a repeat of the 2005 Abuja final where D’Tigress coached by Ayo Bakare defeated the Lionesses of Senegal 64-57 to clinch their second African title.
The fall of the 11-time winners, Senegal this time did not come as a surprise to some pundits as they had earlier succumbed to D’Tigress 54-58 in a group B match played last Wednesday where Nigeria finished tops.
However, D’Tigress were stunned by the Lionesses in the first quarter of the final clash 12-18, before they took the lead in the second quarter 21-10 and maintained lead in the third quarter 15-7 while they finished the last quarter with 17-13 scoreline.
Evelyn Akhator emerged the top performer from the Nigerian squad as she finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal, but finished behind Senegal’s Astou Traore who amassed 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals during the match.
Nigeria, it will be recalled, first won the women’s AfroBasket in 2003 in Mozambique under the current team’s handler, Vincent.
Meanwhile, hosts Mali settled for the bronze as they beat Mozambique 75-52 in the third place game decided earlier in the day.
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