Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, once again etched their name in history by clinching the title of the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket tournament with a thrilling 84-74 victory over Senegal in the final. This remarkable triumph marks the Nigerian Ladies as only the second team, following Senegal, to secure four consecutive titles.

After a twelve-year title drought, D’Tigress silenced doubters and skeptics by reasserting their dominance. Their journey to this victory began in 2017 when they were crowned champions, a feat they then replicated in 2019, 2021, and now in 2023, showcasing their consistent excellence.

🇳🇬 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐀 𝐍𝐎 𝐃𝐄𝐘 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓! 🔥

👏 Welcome your @FIBA #AfroBasketWomen 2023 champions, the D'Tigress! 👏

Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/VDPEyfRRG2

— FIBA Women's Afrobasket (@afrobasketwomen) August 5, 2023

Notably, this squad of D’Tigress defied expectations, composed largely of “rookies” with a handful of experienced players. Under the guidance of coach Rena Wakama, they silenced their critics from the onset, impressively shutting down Congo DR in their first game. A resounding victory against hosts Rwanda in the semi-final underscored their determination to seize the top prize – a goal they resolutely pursued in the final showdown at Kigali’s BK Arena.

The tone for D’Tigress’ victory was set by Amy Okonkwo, who secured the team’s first two points in the opening quarter. Controlling the game from the start, they dominated the first quarter with a score of 19-10, maintaining their upper hand in the second quarter with a narrower margin, winning it 24-21. Their 43-31 halftime lead put them on track to achieving their championship aspirations.

WE ARE CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/AQvYCwRCt4

— The Den (@dtigersden) August 5, 2023

As anticipated, the Senegalese team launched a fierce comeback after halftime, managing to win the third quarter 26-19 and narrowing Nigeria’s lead to just five points before the final quarter. However, D’Tigress exhibited their resilience when it counted the most. Stepping up their game, they successfully thwarted the Senegalese challenge.

In a gripping final quarter, D’Tigress displayed their mettle and emerged victorious with a 22-17 score, securing the game with an 84-74 win. The significance of this victory is heightened by Coach Wakama’s historic achievement as the first female coach to clinch the Afrobasket title. With her at the helm, many envisage even greater accomplishments on the horizon, particularly with the Olympic qualifiers on the horizon.

This triumph is a testament to D’Tigress’ unwavering dedication and their unyielding pursuit of excellence. Their victory not only cements their place in history but also ignites hopes for a future filled with further accomplishments on the international stage.