The Nigerian senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, got off to a winning start on Friday July 28 at the ongoing 2023 Women’s AfroBasket Championship taking place in Kigali, Rwanda.

D’Tigress recorded a 69-35 victory against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the opening game by winning all four quarters.

All through the game, the Nigerian ladies struggled with their chemistry and team bonding due to the manner in which the team was put together.

The team arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, just two days before their first game, but were still able to emerge victorious on a good note.

D’Tigress started strongly with a 16-8 point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Coach Rena Wakama’s side could not maintain the early tempo in the second and third quarters, where they narrowly won 13-10 and 17-14, respectively.

With a 14-point lead in the final quarter, D’Tigress did not relent as they recorded a massive 23-3 margin.

D’Tigress are now on a 19-0 unbeaten streak since 2015. They have also won the last three editions of the tournament and aim to become the first team since Senegal did it in the 1970s by winning four consecutive titles.

On Sunday, July 30, Nigeria will face Egypt in their second group game.