2023 Women’s Afrobasket: D’Tigress defeat Mozambique to face Hosts Rwanda in semifinal

Defending champions Nigeria’s D’Tigress have secured qualification into the semi finals of the 2023 FIBA Women Afrobasket Championship at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

Coach Rena Wakama-tutored side defeated Mozambique 59-52 on Wednesday in a hard-fought quarterfinal match to advance to the semifinals and extend their winning streak to 22 in Africa.

D’Tigress had a difficult start to the encounter as Mozambique won the first quarter 18-16, building a two-point advantage.

The ladies from the southern end of the continent also won the second quarter 15-13 carrying a four-point lead into halftime.

After the break, D’Tigress pushed to take the third quarter 18-10 erasing the 4 points lead established by the Mozambicans before wrapping up the fourth quarter woth a 12-9 win.

26 year old Maccabi HaIfa of Israel forward, Amy Okonkwo lead D’Tigress, contributing 17 points, Elizabeth Balogun scored 12 points while Sarah Ogoke finished with 9 points.

Nigeria’s shooting guard Sarah Ogoke who plays for Ferroviário de Maputo was full of praise for her team mates after Wednesday’s result.

“Mozambique are a great team, credit to them for putting up such a game. But we stayed together and we made it through.”

“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 secured their semi final ticket after overcoming 66-61 Uganda in the quarter finals.

“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.” Ogoke assured.

Mali will square up against Senegal in the other semi final on Thursday. This is the second time both teams are meeting each other in this Championship.

To reach the semi final Senegal defeated Cameroon 80-77 while Mali saw off Guinea 96-40 in the quarter finals.

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