Nigeria began her defence of their FIBA Afrobasket crown by thumping the Democratic Republic of Congo 69-35, in the opening match of the bienniel tournament, played at the BK Arena in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
Elizabeth Balogun top-scored for the D’Tigress with 11 points, one point more than the 10 hauled by Sarah Ogoke, who also had 6 Rebounds and 2 Assists; but there was no doubting who the top performer of the the day was; that honour belongs to Pallas
Kunaiyi-Akpanah, who fended-off the Congolese by making 10 defensive blocks.
Despite scoring no points, Ginette Mfutila Makiese with a game highest 11 rebounds, and 2 steals garnered +13 on the efficiency rankings, and was the top Congolese performer of the game.
Nigeria who are looking to win the title for a record equalling fourth time, sits at the top of FIBA Africa ranking, nine places above the DR Congo, who are ranked 10th.
*Round Up*
Up next for D’Tigress of Nigeria is their second and final Group D tie against Egypt on Sunday, July 30th, 2023.
Meanwhile, estranged Head Coach of the D’Tigress, Otis Hughley says he is pained by the decision of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to sack him unceremoniously.
Hughley said after steering the team to win two titles at a bounce in Senegal 2019, and in Cameroun 2021; he was looking forward to a three-peat of titles for himself, and a record equalling fourth triumph for the team.
The American said it was saddening to find out from the media that he has been sacked, after he had asked the NBBF to formalize his contract, ahead of the championship.
Hughley also said the decision of the NBBF to circumvent the process of formally secure the release of top players in the diaspora, is responsible for the absence of several key players, from the D’Tigress roster.
Some of the top players absent in Kigali are Adaora Elonu, who was the team’s captain to the 2021 Afrobasket triumph in Cameroun; Promise Amukamara and Ezinne Kalu.
The others are Victoria Macaulay, Ify Ibekwe, Oderah Chidom, and Nicole Enabosi. The quartet featured also featured at the 2021 competition; but opted not to take part in the controversial tryouts, held by the NBBF in the USA and in Nigeria.
In Game number 2, played at the same venue, the beaten finalists in 2021, Mali roared back from a 16-19 first quarter deficit; to outclass Uganda 21-14 21-16 22-17 to win their Group A opener 80-66.
Host county, Rwanda literally pummeled Côte d’Ivoire 64-35; by taking a 14-7 first quarter lead, only for the Ivorians to tie the second quarter of the Group A opener 14-14; before falling behind again in the last two quarters – 24-8 and 12-6.
Action continues on Saturday, with four more fixtures on the card, at the Kigali Arena.
Egypt and DR Congo will face off in Group D, which also houses Nigeria, that encounter tips off at 11am; before Mozambique takes on Guinea at 2pm Nigerian time; nest is the encounter between Uganda and powerhouse Senegal at 5pm; whilst Côte d’Ivoire will be on Court at 8pm to test the might of Angola.
