Inter-Clube of Angola last night ousted Nigeria Customs from the inaugural edition of the FIBA Africa Women’s Basketball League, being staged in Alexandria, to reach the semi-finals.of the tournament, in Egypt.
A rampant and free scoring Inter-Clube dominated the first two quarters, and led by an astonishing 60-27 points, by halftime.
The Customs Ladies, however refused to let down their guards, and with Coaches Mohammed Abdulrahman and Ogoh Odaudu propping them up, they returned from the break with more determination and purpose, though the Angolan champions, held on to eventually win 89-65.
Despite the defeat, captain Nkem Akawaiwe, Olaoluwatomi
Taiwo and the rest of the Customs Ladies should take pride in their second half performances, which saw them win the last two periods by 38-29 dunks.
On the other hand, victory means Inter-Clube will meet hosts of the competition, Sporting Club in the semifinals; in a potentially explosive fixture.
Sporting Club of Alexandria continued their charge towards the title, with an emphatic 105-55 mauling of Overdose Station du Cameroun in the 3rd quarterfinal game, decided earlier; and are bookmakers favorites, to reach the final, on December 19, 2023.
Rwanda Energy Group (REG) Women BBC were the first to breeze into the semi-finals, and they did so with a comprehensive 85-54 thrashing of Université de Douala of Cameroun; winning the first three quarters 15-21, 6-30 and 23-16 before losing 11-16 in the last.
REG Women, will in the semi-final slug it out with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Women for a place in the final.
To reach the last four, KPA Women underlined their title credentials by inflicting an 81-66 defeat on their compatriots, Equity Bank Hawks of Kenya, having led by a hefty 42-23 at halftime.
The first match of the day, was a classification match for 9th and 10th, which also pitted the two sides without a win in the tournament – CNSS of DR Congo and ASPAC Cotonou of Benin Republic. CNSS won the tie by bossing all four periods 24-14, 14-19, 15-7, 17-6 for a 70-46 victory.
The Customs Ladies will now regroup for the classification games for 5th – 8th, to be contested by all the four quarter-final losers.
