By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s female basketball team known as D’Tigress on Sunday defeated Senegal 60-55 to win the 2019 women’s Afrobasket title they won two years ago.
The final match played at the at the Dakar Arena, Senegal saw about 15,000 fans watch the Nigerian ladies overpower the tournament host Senegal to win back-to-back titles.
The result means D’Tigress became the first team to retain FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title back-to-back since Angola followed up their 2011 triumph with another in 2013.
On their way to the final, Nigeria eased past Mali, 79-58, in Friday’s first semifinal, while Senegal defeated Mozambique 60-57.
Nigeria had in the early stages defeated Tunisia (75-26), Cameroon (106-39), DR Congo (79-46) and Mali (79-58) by an average of 42.5 points, while Senegal beat Cote d’Ivoire (77-36), Egypt (85-47), Angola (88-54) and Mozambique 60-57 by an average of 29 points.
Senegal, who are 12-time African champions, were hoping to become the next team to win the tournament at home after D’Tigress claimed the 2005 continental in Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari in his congratulatory tweet said: “Congratulations, @DtigressNG. African Champions again! You have risen to the occasion, and conquered the continent one more time. We are very proud of what you have accomplished. The entire country rejoices with you!”
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Dipo Olowookere