AfroBasket 2017: D’Tigress Beat Egypt, Cruise Into Last Eight

Nigeria’s D’Tigress have booked a quarter final spot at the ongoing 2017 FIBA African Women’s Championship in Mali after defeating Egypt 106-72 on Sunday.

Following their victory, they became the first team to qualify for the last eight of the competition in Bamako.

It was the Nigerian girls’ third win in as many games in Group B following their opening 80-69 win over Mozambique on Friday and the 84-47 defeat of DR Congo a day later. The other teams in the Group are champions Senegal and Guinea. The top four teams qualify for the quarterfinals.

On the other hand, it is Egypt’s first defeat in the tournament after winning their first two games against Guinea 109-78 and DR Congo 99-72.

The Pharaohs were trailing by 21 points at half-time after losing the first and second-quarters 20-15 and 30-14, before D’Tigress consolidated on their superiority to win the last two quarters 29-20 and 27-23, thus becoming the first team to make it to the next stage.

The 2017 Women’s Afrobasket holds in Mali from August 18 to 27, with the winners and runners-up qualifying for the 2018 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain.

Meanwhile, Minister for Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has praised D’Tigress for their outstanding performance.

“On behalf of sports-loving Nigerians, I bring you goodwill and best wishes from Nigeria. We have been following your progress in the Afrobasket 2017 and we are highly impressed by the victories recorded in your three games.

“The Federal Government will stand by you to ensure that you get all the support needed to bring back the Afrobasket trophy.” Dalung said.