D’TIGRESS RULES AFRICAN WOMEN BASKETBALL FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A ROW WITH VICTORY OVER MALI IN YAOUNDE.
Written by Samson Ojeniran on September 27, 2021
Nigeria on Sunday completed a three-peat as they overpowered Mali 70 – 59 at the final of the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Yaounde, Cameroon to extend their supremacy on the continent.
Nigeria clinched their third consecutive African title to become only the second team to win three titles in a row after Senegal.
Nigeria’s center Victoria Macaulay with 15 points was the highest on the night while 2019 MVP Ezinne Kalu added 13 points with Adaora Elonu firing in 12.
Ify Ibekwe hit a sensational double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists for D’Tigress. Her five defensive rebounds were key as they helped slow down the Malian drive.
Mali, prior to the Final, had topped the rebounding charts and they did just that against Nigeria picking up 49 boards against D’Tigress’ 39.
Malian center Mariam Coulibaly scored 13 points and 9 rebounds picking up an efficiency of 16. Sika Kone put in 12 points with 11 rebounds as Mali had to settle for second spot.
Meanwhile the third placed match saw Senegal, the country with the most success in this competition, having won a record eleven times, trade tackles with Cameroon the host nation. Cameroon defeated Senegal 53-49 to claim their third bronze and second silverware since 2015. The match was a remake of the 2015 final, which saw Senegal defeat Cameroon 81 – 66 to clinch their 11th title.
