D’Tigress Did Us Proud!

SIMBO OLORUNFEMI 

Looking at the result of yesterday’s final match between Nigeria and Senegal, with a 10-point lead, it is easy to assume it was an easy win, or that we had a roll over the Senegalese in the match.

It was nothing of that sort. It was a hard-fought victory. Though the D’tigress started out flying, steaming to a 12-point lead after the first two quarters, the Senegalese came back charging. Before one knew it, what had been a comfortable lead had been cut down, at a point to a 2-point lead. Cierra Dillard, the American who only recently naturalised as Senegalese was on rampage.

It was as if the game had turned on its head. It became a tough one to watch. ‘Making Of Champions’ put out a timely warning, “If you are hypertensive, then this game is not for you because everything is changing rapidly.”

The time-out did help, as the Coach, Rena Wakama, rightfully diagnosed the issue and proffered solutions. The team managed to hold on to the narrow lead at the end of the 3rd quarter, building on that after the break, to regain the momentum in the 4th quarter.

Dillard just wouldn’t let us be. But between Amy Okonkwo (MVP for the tournament), Ogoke, Musa and Taiwo, fought back bravely before the Senegalese finally lost steam.

It was the way the #DTigress fought back every time things appeared to go out of hand. Not sure, looked like most of the spectators were on the side of Senegal. Could that have been because of the dominance, over the years, by the Nigerian team? Or something to do with us beating the host, Rwanda, in the Semi-final?

Well, maybe it was just me. But whatever it is, it was lovely to have the voice of Davido taking over the stadium in celebration, followed by Kizz Daniel.

Victory is sweet o! Congratulations, Nigeria.
Congratulations to the beautiful Coach Wakama for bringing colour and expertise to play. Congratulations, #DTigress
on the fourth consecutive #AfroBasketWomen title.

Worthy Champions!