Resilient Nigeria advance to the Semi-Finals
With this win, Nigeria have extended their winning streak to 22 in Africa. They have also sent a message to Rwanda, their opponent in the Semi-Finals, that they will be tough nuts to crack.
KIGALI (Rwanda) – Nigeria extended their winning streak in Africa by seeing off Mozambique in the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket Quarter-Finals 59-52.
D'Tigresses' win means they will meet hosts Rwanda in the Semi-Finals.
Mozambique led at the break, but Nigeria eventually turned the tables around, outscoring Mozambique 18-10 in the third quarter to claim the win.
Elizabeth Balogun
TURNING POINT: With Nigeria trailing by four points at half-time, they had to find a way to get back into the game.
When the opportunity occurred, Elizabeth Balogun seized the opportunity help Nigeria tie the contest at 40-40, before Amy Okonkwo gave the reigning champions a short but solid advantage.
Ifunaya Okoro scored from behind the arc to give Nigeria the lead definitely.
Mozambique tried to fight back, but they met with a resilient and combative Nigeria.
HEROES : Nigeria needed their heroes more than ever. Amy Okonkwo chipped in 17 points, Elizabeth Balogun contributed 12 points, and Sarah Ogoke finished just one point shy from a double digit. Nearly every Nigerian ended the game with at least two points to their credit.
STATS DON'T LIE: What saved Nigeria was the depth of their bench. It produced nearly half (22) of the 59 points that Nigeria needed to see off Mozambique.
Nigeria also made the difference on free throws ratio. With 14 for 18 free throws, they were better off than Mozambique's 16 for 24 attempts.
The D’Tigresses also out-rebounded Mozambique 51-43, by being more active on the defensive side with 38 boards.
But ironically, the game's best rebounder was wearing Mozambique's uniform: Tamara Seda.
BOTTOM LINE : With this win, Nigeria have extended their winning streak to 22 in Africa. They have also sent a message to Rwanda, their opponent in the Semi-Finals, that they will be tough nuts to crack.
Nigeria have also showed that they are ready and focused on getting a fourth trophy in a row.
Sarah Ogoke
THEY SAID: "Mozambique are a great team, credit to them for putting up such a game. But we stayed together and we made it through. For our Semi-Final, we're going to be playing against the stadium, against the fans, against the entire country. So it’s going to be very difficult. Looking back on today’s win, whether it's one point or 15 points, it’s still a win. We're on to the next round and try to get us to the Final and to the WOQT. We definitely have what it takes to make it four titles in a row and we have a way of making things happen. And we'll find a way." - Nigeria guard Sarah Ogoke.
FIBA