Nigeria’s senior national women basketball team on Friday in Belgrade defeated their French counterparts 67-65 at the ongoing 2022 International Federation Basketball Association (FIBA) Women World Cup Qualifiers.

With a world ranking of 15, 10 places below France, and having lost 76-90 to world number seven China on Thursday, the Nigerian team were expected to get another resounding beating.

As expected, they were 11-28 behind after the first quarter.

But, after a resurgence to win 16-10 in the second quarter, they were still trailing the French team 27-38 after the game’s long break.

But they came back stronger in the third and fourth quarters to win 21-14 and 19-13 respectively to go on to win 67-65 and beat the number five rated team in the world.

The win has brightened the team’s chances to book their second consecutive World Cup outing, with a game to spare.

Victoria Macaulay scored 19 points while contributing four assists, four rebounds, five steals and four blocks to help the team secure their first-ever win against France.

Oderah Chidom also contributed 13 points, five assists and six rebounds to help D’Tigress avenge their 2020 Olympics and 2018 FIBA World Cup defeats.

Promise Amukamara and Adaora Elonu added 10 points each.

Nigeria will face Mali on Sunday, while France will hope to bounce back when they meet China.

(NAN)