D’Tigress beat France, brighten World Cup qualification chance
Nigeria’s senior national women basketball team on Friday in Belgrade defeated their French counterparts 67-65 at the ongoing 2022 International Federation Basketball Association (FIBA) Women World Cup Qualifiers.
With a world ranking of 15, 10 places below France, and having lost 76-90 to world number seven China on Thursday, the Nigerian team were expected to get another resounding beating.
As expected, they were 11-28 behind after the first quarter.
But, after a resurgence to win 16-10 in the second quarter, they were still trailing the French team 27-38 after the game’s long break.
But they came back stronger in the third and fourth quarters to win 21-14 and 19-13 respectively to go on to win 67-65 and beat the number five rated team in the world.
The win has brightened the team’s chances to book their second consecutive World Cup outing, with a game to spare.
Victoria Macaulay scored 19 points while contributing four assists, four rebounds, five steals and four blocks to help the team secure their first-ever win against France.
Oderah Chidom also contributed 13 points, five assists and six rebounds to help D’Tigress avenge their 2020 Olympics and 2018 FIBA World Cup defeats.
Promise Amukamara and Adaora Elonu added 10 points each.
Nigeria will face Mali on Sunday, while France will hope to bounce back when they meet China.
(NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette
Economy
Buhari regime will continue to borrow without subsidy removal: Femi Adesina
“You know how much could have been saved if the subsidy was removed and how it could have been diverted to other areas and spheres of national life.
Sport
NBBF president hails D’Tigress as team secures world cup ticket
African champions, D’Tigress, on Friday beat world number five France 67-65 to qualify for the 2022 FIBA Women World Cup.
States
Lagos tricycle riders seek separate union from MC Oluomo-controlled NURTW
There has been clashes in recent times between tricycle operators and the NURTW in Lagos.
Opinion
Chidi Odinkalu: Nigeria and the price of sovereign innumeracy
There was a national census in 1973 which, as Karl Maier recalls, proved to be “farcical.” The results were never published.
Politics
2023: Buhari, party leaders to determine presidential candidate, says Gov Zulum
Mr Zulum said that contending interests in the forthcoming presidential primaries and other elections would not stop the APC from reaching a consensus.
Abuja
FCT Election: Voters turn out en masse in Kuje
The voters came out as early as 7:00 a.m., with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), ready for the election.
Sport
Ethiopia’s Geleta Ulfata wins 2022 Lagos City Marathon
The annual marathon started at the National Stadium in Surulere with the runners heading up to the Eko Atlantic City via Ahmadu Bello Way in Victoria Island.
