D’Tigers begin Afrobasket with win over Mali

Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, on Wednesday beat Mali 81-73 in their opening match of the ongoing 2021 Afrobasket Championship in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Nigerian side, who were without most of their NBA stars paraded at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, got off to a good start winning the first quarter 28-12.
Captained by Stephen Domingo of Lakeland Magic in the U.S. G-League, the team showed glimpses of a side thirsty for a win with some quick fast-breaks.
The Malian team however rallied back in the second quarter to win it at 31-16, to go into half time just a point behind at 43-44.
On resumption of the third quarter, D’Tigers upped their game to win 27-10 for a 71-53 lead.
The Malians again showed they were no push-overs, coming strong in the fourth quarter to win it 20-10.
But it was a little too late for them as the D’Tigers won the highly entertaining encounter 81-73.
D’Tigers who are the number one-ranked team in Africa are in Group C alongside Mali, Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire.
Their next match is against Kenya on Friday at the same venue, the Kigali Arena.
The 2021 AfroBasket which started on Tuesday ends on September 5.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Heading 5
Don’t blame gender for ineffectiveness if you can’t use your authority, Fashola tells women
Mr Fashola emphasised that effective leadership is determined by competence rather than gender.

Diaspora
FG to evacuate 271 Nigerians from South Africa in third phase flight Friday
The consulate urged the expected Nigerian nationals to come along with their clearance certificates, as well as other documents used during the screening process.

NationWide
250th Anniversary: U.S. restates strategic partnership with Nigeria
Mr Swart expressed confidence that his successor would continue strengthening the enduring relationship between both countries.

Africa
ECOWAS raises alarm over rising drug abuse, trafficking in West Africa
Mr Amankwa said cocaine trafficking was expanding rapidly across West Africa.

Hot news Home top
U.S. announces limited-edition social security cards for children born during America’s 250th anniversary
The SSA said the official Freedom 250 designation is exclusively for original cards issued through the EAB program to newborns during the qualifying period.

NationWide
Xenophobia: Youth leaders seek safety of Nigerians in South Africa
The Chairman of the forum, Eze-Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the incidents were undermining the ideals of African unity and peaceful coexistence.






