DAKAR (Senegal) - The highly-anticipated FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2019 match between Nigeria and Senegal is upon us and it will decide the continental title on Sunday in Dakar.

While reigning champions Nigeria eased past Mali, 79-58, in Friday's first semifinal, hosts Senegal needed to work extra hard to overcome a fearless and determined Mozambique team, 60-57, to return to the championship title game for the third time in a row.

Both Nigeria and Senegal have emerged as the best teams from the 12-tournament and it has come as no surprise that each reached the final after four wins in as many games. 

Nigeria defeated Tunisia (75-26), Cameroon (106-39), DR Congo (79-46) and Mali (79-58) by an average of 42.5 points while Senegal beat Cote d'Ivoire (77-36), Egypt (85-47), Angola (88-54) and Mozambique 60-57 by an average of 29 points.

After losing to Nigeria two years ago - not once but twice in Bamako - 12-time African champions Senegal will try to become the first team to win the tournament at home since their opponents claimed the 2005 continental in Abuja. 

On the other hand, Nigeria aim to become the first team to win back-to-back FIBA Women's AfroBasket titles since Angola followed up their 2011 triumph with another in 2013.

It didn't look good for Senegal on Friday as they trailed at one stage by 19 points in the first half yet they fought to the end and beat Mozambique. Senegal demonstrated tremendous resilience and tenacity, two qualities that they will desperately need to try to prevent Nigeria from lifting the continental trophy in front of Senegalese fans, who have played a major role in Dakar.

As in previous Senegal games over the past few days, there will be a deafening atmosphere at Dakar Arena. Senegal fans want to to move on for good from their FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2007's disappointment when they lost in Dakar to eventual champions Mali.

Nigeria (green) vs. Senegal (white)

If numbers and history are anything to go by, then Senegal have a lot to worry about Nigeria - a team that averages tournament-highs 84.5 points and 52 rebounds per game.

With a talented roster led by Evelyn Akhator, Adaora Elonu and Ezinne Kalu, Nigeria's ambition of closing the 2019 African Championship will be tested not only against Astou Traore and Co, but principally by the tireless home crowd.

The FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2019 starts at 18:00 GMT, and it will be live on livebasketball.tv. Click here.

Senegal (2007), Madagascar (2009), Mali (2011), Mozambique (2013), Cameroon (2015) and Mali (2017) - all try to win the trophy in front of their home fans, but it was a visitor who had the last laugh. Can Senegal prove history wrong?

FIBA