Sports

AfroBasket: Nigeria beat Mozambique, qualify for semifinal

Published

9 years ago

October 1, 2015

In from Nifemi Daniel …

Nigeria’s D’Tigeress on Thursday advanced to the semifinal of the AfroBasket Women 2015 after securing a 71-66 victory over Mozambique in the first quarterfinals in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Adaora Elonu hit a layup with 5:45 minutes left, giving Nigeria a 60-58 lead, and they never trailed again.

Joyce Ekworomadu sparked Nigeria with a game-best 20 points, while Odelia Mafanela and Deolinda Ngulela combined for 34 Mozambique points.

Mozambique stepped on floor planing to make the most of their three-point shooting. However, they seemed to have crossed the line by attempting 5 of 29 from beyond the arc.

It’s general knowledge that Nazir Sale’s team arrived in Yaounde with a shorthanded roster, and that fact became even more evident as the team’s bench contributed only five points against Nigeria’s 28.

The game hero was Helen Ogunjimi who has officially become Nigeria’s secret weapon. She not only played aggressive defense, but 30-year-old guard provide two crucial three-pointers keeping Nigeria very much alive in the contest.

Ten lead changes translates how competitive the game was. Two years ago, Mozambique upset Nigeria in the Quarter-Finals, and on Thursday they were very close to repeat their fortunes, but Nigeria stepped on floor a desperation mode, reaching the tournament’s Semi-Finals for the second time since 2011.

“It was a tough game for us. Mozambique is a great team. We didn’t do a good of job rebounding. We definitely need to able to rebound in order to win ball games. It does not matter who we face tomorrow, we just need to be ready for the fight.” Ndidi Madu, who clear the boards with a game-high 13 rebound told FIBA.com.

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now