Nigeria’s female basketball team over the weekend beat Senegal to be crowned African champions of the 2017 Women’s Afro basket tournament. It is the third time the team have been crowned champions.
Nigeria beat Senegal by 65 – 48 in Sunday’s final held in the Malian capital, Bamako. Nigeria’s Evelyn Akhator led the D’Tigress victory with 13 points and seven rebounds. Senegal’s Astou Traore scored higher points with 17 points but it was not enough to secure gold.
“Traore was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, headlining the All-Star Five Awards offered by Tissot, where she was joined by Evelyn Akhator (Nigeria; Italee Lucas (Angola), Leia Dongue ( Mozambique) and Nagnouma Coulibaly (Mali),” the FIBAwebsite reported.
By virtue of being finalists, both countries have qualified for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 in Spain. The hosts Mali secured bronze after edging out Mozambique, 75-52, in the third place fixture.
FIBA (Federation of International Basketball Associations) is the world governing body for basketball. It is an independent association formed by 213 National Basketball Federations throughout the world.
It is recognised as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Final standings of the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2017:
1. Nigeria
2. Senegal
3. Mali
4. Mozambique
5. Cote d’Ivoire
6. Angola
7. Egypt
8. Cameroon
9. DR Congo
10. Guinea
11. Tunisia
12. Central African Republic
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