Nigeria make light work of Rwanda to reach Afrobasket final

Nigeria pummeled Rwanda 79-48 Thursday night in Kigali to reach the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket 2023 final.

The defending champions got out of the blocks early and ensured the game was no contest throughout, with Rwanda fighting to cut a double-digit deficit for the largest part of the evening.

The D’Tigress defence limited Rwanda to just six points in the first quarter to lead by 16 (22-06) going into the second frame.

Amy Okonkwo was unplayable behind the arc and shot five-for-eight on her way to a game-high 23 points as Rwanda failed to find any answers.

Rwanda, who defeated Uganda in the quarter-finals Wednesday night, struggled to get going all evening.

Sifa Ineza, who nailed five threes against the Gazelles on Wednesday, ended the game with no single point.

Nigeria blew away the hosts 22-12 in the second quarter, and despite Rwanda’s 17-14 third-quarter performance, there was no coming back for the hosts.

D’Tigress took the fourth frame 21-13 to silence the partisan home crowd that included Rwanda President Paul Kagame, who met with the home team before tip-off to congratulate them for reaching the final four.

Olaoluwatomi Oluwayemisi Taiwo scored 12 points, while Elizabeth Balogun and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah added 10 each for the defending champions.

Destiney Philoxy’s team-high 21 points were insufficient for the home side to book a slot in Saturday’s final.

Janai Robertson added 11 points for Rwanda, while Hope Butera got a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Nigeria will face the winner between Mali and Senegal on Saturday in a bid to make it four titles in a row.

FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Rwanda 2023

Semi-final result

Rwanda 48-79 Nigeria