BAMAKO (FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2017) – Nigeria's power forward Evelyn Akhator is keen on going all the way to the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2017 Final and be crowned African champion.

The 22-year old, who is Nigeria’s leading points scorer has already posted an average of 16.6 points per game and sits second on the best rebounders list with 48 in total, one less than Abety Imbangueret from Central African Republic.

“We have to regroup and then correct our mistakes. The Quarter-Finals is another ball game. It is a knockout game. You win, you continue. You lose, you go home. It is different. This is where it actually matters." - Akhator

"Basically we need to know what we have to do going forward because each game matters,” she told FIBA.basketball in an exclusive interview. 

Akhator along with guards Ezinne Kalu and Sarah Ogoke, captain Aisha Mohammed as well as Ndidi Madu will have to produce a stellar performance in their tie against a strong and wounded Cote d'Ivoire side that will be out to win the West African derby. 

The Ivorians have put up two solid performances against title favorites Angola and Tunisia but despite losing both encounters, they are a force to reckon with. 

Center Minata Fofana, forwards Kani Kouyate and Kariata Diaby are a handful but Akhator is confident that Nigeria has young and determined players ready to fight for a place at the top and ensure D'Tigress as they are known, earn the respect of many across the continent. 

She wants to emulate the Nigerian squad that won the African title back-to-back in 2003 and 2005 and with the presence of key members including Makbule Amacheere and Mfon Udoka in Mali as part of the team management, there is a feeling that this is achievable.

“We have to regroup and then correct our mistakes. The Quarter-Finals is another ball game. It is a knockout game. You win, you continue. You lose, you go home. It is different. This is where it actually matters," Akhator said.

FIBA