The D’Tigress powered into the quarter-finals at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament in the Ivory Coast, after defeating Mozambique 60-55 in their second group fixture at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan on Monday.
The Rena Wakama-led side did not find it smooth throughout the contest, losing the first quarter 13-9.
They began their slow recovery in the second quarter as the scores were level at 15-15, while edging both the third and fourth quarters by a score of 18-15 and 18-12, respectively.
The six-time African champions registered 60 field goals attempts and recorded 20 field goals made throughout the contest.
The team also made a total of 42 rebounds, 11 assists, 15 steals and 10 blocks. Mozambique, on the other hand, put up 62 field goals attempts and managed just 20 field goals made.
Total rebounds stood at 37, while they recorded 15 assists, nine steals, one block and turned the ball over 18 times.
The top performers for Nigeria include Ezinne Kalu, who scored a game-high 16 points and added three rebounds and four assists. Promise Amukamara chipped in 13 points and six rebounds, Murjanatu Musa made an impressive double-double effort of 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Amy Okonkwo and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah both recorded eight and six points, respectively.
For the Mozambicans, Ingvild Mucauro was their best player on the day with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Leia Dongue and Silvia Veloso added seven points each in the loss to the West African giants.
The victory sees Nigeria secure a spot in the last-eight of the competition, while Mozambique will have to settle for a place in the playoffs, as they hope to qualify for the quarter-finals of the event.
