NAN-S-2
Basketball
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Aug. 28, 2017 (NAN) Basketball enthusiasts on Monday praised the victorious senior national women basketball team, D’Tigress for winning the 2017 Afrobasket Championship on Sunday after defeating Senegal 65-48 in Mali.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team won all their games in the competition from the group stage to the final to clinch the title after 12 years.
They had won it last in 2005 after they claimed it in 2003.
With the victory, the team has qualified for the 2018 Women FIBA Championship in Spain.
Andrew Ibeh, a sports analyst described the victory as a wonderful performance by the D’Tigress, saying they deserved thunderous welcome back to the country.
“They made us very proud in Mali taking down stubborn opposition and not losing in their eight games played in the competition.
“Indeed, it is a resounding victory and a wonderful tournament for our girls who have earned their bragging rights as `Queens of African Basketball’ in 2017,’’ Ibeh said.
Also, Dauda Adeka, the Head Coach of Mark Mentors Basketball Club of Abuja, said that D’Tigrees deserved lots of praises for restoring the nation’s glory in basketball.
“It’s a great feeling for us as a nation, the team has made us very proud, I salute the Musa Kida-led Nigeria Basketball Federation Board (NBBF) for its efforts in the victory.
“We have struggled over the years to repeat the feat achieved in 2003 and 2005, it is awesome to see us back as the Queens of Africa,’’ Adeka said.
Similarly, Geoge Essien, a sports analyst, said the victory was a sweet one that had come as a big blessing to Nigeria.
“They worked very hard for it, they made us proud when it matters most, having lost out a couple of times, it is great to be back as champions,’’ Essien said.
Adeyinka Oyedele, sports radio presenter, said the team had shown class and their supremacy in the continent taking down opponents that had in the past stood against their success.
“They are worthy champions and should be compensated for their efforts. I congratulate them indeed, it is a welcome development for sports in Nigeria,’’ Oyedele said.
Patrick Omorodion, a sports writer, said the victory was a tremendous one and congratulated the players for doing the nation proud in Bamako, Mali.
“It is a well-deserved victory; they are worthy heroines of the country and should be praised for their heroics,’’ Omorodion said.
NAN reports that Nigeria’s Evelyn Akhato emerged one of the five best players in the tournament and that her contributions will not go unnoticed as she averaged 15 points per match.
Senegal’s Astou Traore was named the competition’s Most Valuable Player.
Meanwhile, the host nation, Mali had something to give to their fans that stood with them as they defeated Mozambique, 75-52 to claim the third place. (NAN)
BAO/MO/PDE
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(Edited by Morayo Omolade/Peter Ejiofor)