D’TIGRESS of Nigeria secured a key victory over Senegal in their Paris 2024 Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament clash tonight in Antwerp, Belgium.
The African champions produced a fine fourth quarter display to edge out their fierce rivals 72-65 in the hunt for a ticket to the women’s basketball event of the Olympic Games in Paris, France later this year.
With both teams to face Belgium and USA in the qualifying tournament, tonight’s game was the potential decider and it could prove that way after Nigeria extended their recent dominance of their fellow Africans.
D’Tigress, who have won the Women’s AfroBasket title four times in a row, were trailing 57-49 heading into the last 10 minutes and had to dig deep to earn the crucial win.
They started the final quarter with an 11-0 run to swing the contest back firmly in their favour.
The African champions were led in scoring by Amy Okonkwo, the Most Valuable Player last year at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket.
She registered an impressive 21 points and 10 rebounds to steer her side to victory.
To reach the Olympics, D’Tigress need to ensure they do not finish bottom of the four-team tournament standings in Belgium, and the win over Senegal could potentially secure them third place even if they lose to the hosts and USA.
“I am so incredibly proud of my team and I have special group. The game was not pretty, but they stuck together and they got it done,” D’Tigress head coach Rene Wakama said after the tense win.
“It was beautiful as a coach to see them come together and fight back when things were not going their way. This game felt like a Final because we knew what was at stake. But we only just got past this first road block.”
Senegal coach Alberto Carlos Antuna Leal rued his team’s late capitulation but acknowledged the strength of the Nigerians as he looked forward to a bright future.
“It was tough. I think we controlled the first three quarters and played a solid game,” he said.
“The girls respected the game plan and the rules. In the last quarter some offensive rebounds, turnover and missed lay-ups made the difference but I am really proud of the girls.
“I think the future is bright for Senegal. This was my first game as the head coach of the team. We have to remember Nigeria has not lost to another African team since 2015.
“We are focused on next year’s FIBA Women’s AfroBasket and we are going to get to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup for sure.”
USA defeated Belgium 81-79 in the other game tonight, and D’Tigress will face the Americans tomorrow and the hosts on Sunday.
[NaijaTimes]