Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, known as D’Tigress, showcased their resilience and determination as they secured a hard-fought 59-52 victory against Mozambique in the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket tournament. The thrilling quarterfinal fixture took place on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, and witnessed a fierce battle between the two formidable teams.

From the onset, Mozambique demonstrated their strength by taking the lead in the first quarter with a score of 18-16, establishing a two-point advantage. The second quarter saw D’Tigress facing challenges with their shots, resulting in a 15-13 margin for Mozambique, leaving the Nigerian team trailing by four points at halftime.

However, with a strategic adjustment in their defensive approach by newly appointed Head Coach Rena Wakama, D’Tigress roared back in the third quarter, outscoring Mozambique 18-10 and gaining a crucial four-point lead as they headed into the final stretch of the game. Despite Mozambique’s resilience, hitting some crucial three-pointers to keep the game close, D’Tigress remained steadfast and executed well from midrange in the closing minutes.

The fourth quarter proved to be intense, with both teams battling fiercely to gain the upper hand. In the end, D’Tigress managed to secure the fourth quarter 12-9, sealing a well-deserved victory and advancing to the semifinals of the 2023 Women’s Afrobasket Championship.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐒 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐁 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓 🎫!

Nigeria 🇳🇬 overcame Mozambique 🇲🇿 pressure to get a 59-52 win and reach the semis!#AfroBasketWomen pic.twitter.com/lPX1y7wyFv

— FIBA Women's Afrobasket (@afrobasketwomen) August 2, 2023

With this triumph, D’Tigress now faces a challenging semifinal clash against hosts Rwanda, who also displayed impressive form in their earlier match against Uganda.

Top Performers Shine for D’Tigress

Despite facing difficulties from beyond the arc, D’Tigress saw exceptional performances from their star players. Once again, Amy Okonkwo stood out with an outstanding contribution of 17 points, six rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal in her 37 minutes on the court. Elizabeth Balogun also showcased her prowess, recording 12 points, six rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in 35 minutes of play.

As D’Tigress continues their journey in the tournament, the entire nation eagerly awaits the thrilling semifinal encounter with Rwanda. The team’s perseverance, skill, and fighting spirit have proven to be a force to be reckoned with, and fans are hopeful that they will secure another remarkable victory on their path to the championship title.

The stage is set for an epic showdown as D’Tigress aims to leave an indelible mark in the history of African women’s basketball and continue their legacy as champions in the making.