FIBA Women’s U18 Afrobasket: Nigeria exact revenge on Egypt, play Uganda in semis

Nigeria girls’ basketball team, J’Tigers who qualified for the last eight as one of the two best third-place finishers from the Group Phase, stunned the reigning silver medalists, Egypt 66-51 to reach the Semifinals.

J’Tigers were perfect from the start, led by Abigail Isaac who top scored for the side with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Idubamo Beggi who dropped 13 was crucial for her side as she gave 7 assists, as did Wandoo Marvis.

Nigeria won the first three quarters 24-13, 13-10 and 17-13 before losing the fourth quarter 15-12 but it was too little too late for the Egyptians who defeated the Nigerians 72-60 in their opening group phase clash penultimate Monday.

‘I feel excited and grateful that we have made it this far. After the team acclimatized, they were back to themselves,’ an elated coach Juliana Ojoshogu Negedu said.

The Nigerians will now face Uganda who defeated Tunisia 69-53. The Ugandans defeated the J’Tigers 80-64 in their final group game and it will be another revenge for the Nigerians who are just one win away from becoming one of Africa’s two representatives to next year’s FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup will take place in Switzerland.