SHEFFIELD (Julio Chitundas' African Message) - Nigeria have outplayed all their seven opponents at last week's FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 in Mali, confirming a new era in Africa women's basketball.

Next year, they will try to make a splash on the world stage, where they have competed before. 

The new African champions defeated then-reigning champions Senegal not once but twice improving their head-to-head clashes to 3-0 dating back to 2015.

After covering the tournament two years ago in Cameroon, I questioned about the better team in that tournament. While I credited Senegal for stepping up when it mattered most - after a slow start to the Championship - I also felt that Nigeria's stats were good enough to have been crowned African champions.

And, despite being a title contender two years ago, Nigeria lost by a point to hosts Cameroon in the Semi-Finals. 

However, last week, the experienced Nigerian side, which included six players from 2015, made a statement returning the favor to hosts Mali, winning by a point in the Semi-Finals.

An 8-0 winning record backed by a number of key team stats as well as a talented roster - led by Adaora Elonu, Ezine Kalu, Sarah Ogoke and Evelyn Akhator - speaks volumes about Nigeria's dominance in the tournament.

So, no need to question who the better team was.

And, as I mentioned earlier in this column, you might wonder what is new in Africa women's basketball especially as Nigeria have won the African Championship before. After all, this is their continental title. 

Well, playing at the level Nigeria did in Bamako it suggests they are ready to face tougher and better opponents. 

And if the Nigerian Basketball Federation can keep the core of the team as well as the coaching staff motivated, then, this Nigerian team could surprise bigger basketball nations in next year's FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Spain.

Realicatlly speaking, African teams currently hold a mediocre - to say the least - FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup record.

Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Kenya, Angola, and Mozambique have all represented the continent in FIBA's flagship women's competition dating back to 2002, but they have never beaten a non-African team.  

So, it's been almost two decades since Senegal beat Argentina at the 1998 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.   

However, this Nigeria team is competitive enough to give African basketball fans a reason to smile. 

Take Nigeria's 2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament campaign as an example. Although they conceded a record 14 three-pointers against Korea, Ezenni Kalu's game-winning three-pointer translated Nigeria's tenacity. 

Although they have failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics, they left a positive impression and Spain 2018 looks a lot more promising. 

Talking to completesportsnigeria.com, Nigerian head coach Sam Vincent noted: "The World Cup is far away, at least a year away precisely, but with proper focus and good preparation, Nigeria will do well in the tournament."

Hello, world! The Nigerians are coming back, better and stronger. 

Julio Chitunda

FIBA

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