Double Delight: D’Tigress and Super Falcons Rule Africa Again

Nigeria’s D’Tigress and the Super Falcons proved their pedigree once again by conquering Africa, overcoming early hurdles and scepticism to reassert their dominance in women’s sports on the continent, Sport360NG reports.

Uneven Beginnings

For the Super Falcons, the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco came with the baggage of a painful semi-final loss to the hosts two years prior. D’Tigress, meanwhile, were navigating a turbulent build-up marred by administrative missteps.

The Falcons opened Group B in commanding fashion, sweeping aside Tunisia 3-0. That display of intent was tempered by a tougher second outing against Botswana. Despite their underdog status, the Mares held Nigeria scoreless for 89 minutes before Chinwendu Ihezuo found a late winner, a reminder that nothing would come easy.

At the same time, D’Tigress were battling chaos off the court. Their usual pre-tournament camp in the United States was scrapped, with officials opting instead for a local training schedule in Abuja, plans that ultimately fell through. Airfare for players wasn’t even distributed until July 16, just weeks before the competition tipped off.

Back in Morocco, Nigeria had already secured a quarter-final berth when they faced Algeria in the final group game. Coach Justine Madugu rotated his squad, settling for a goalless draw that was enough to top the group.

Their next game was a show of force. Zambia were dispatched 5-0 in a stunning display, with five different players, Osinachi Ohale, Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Oluwatosin Demehin, and Folashade Ijamilusi, getting on the scoresheet.

Over in Abidjan, D’Tigress began their AfroBasket title defence in emphatic style. Despite their disjointed preparations, they thrashed Rwanda 92-45 in their opener, with Elizabeth Balogun leading the way with 18 points. That win extended their unbeaten run in the competition to 25 games.

Their second group game, however, was far less comfortable. Mozambique took the first quarter, but Nigeria’s grit saw them grind out a narrow 60-55 win.

The quarter-finals brought a return to dominance, with a crushing 83-47 win over Cameroon. That set up a dramatic semi-final against Senegal, now coached by Nigeria’s former handler Otis Hughley, a reunion layered with emotion and high stakes.

Clutch Performances

The Super Falcons’ semi-final against South Africa lived up to the rivalry. Rasheedat Ajibade gave Nigeria the lead just before halftime, but Banyana Banyana responded through Linda Motlhalo in the second half. Deep into stoppage time, Michelle Alozie’s hopeful cross was turned into the net, sealing a dramatic 2-1 win and a 10th WAFCON final for Nigeria.

For D’Tigress, their battle with Senegal was equally thrilling. After falling behind early, Nigeria surged ahead to take a 43-37 lead at halftime. Senegal roared back in the third quarter, but D’Tigress found another gear in the final frame. With Murjanatu Musa fouled out, Promise Amukamara, Ezinne Kalu, and Pallas Okonkwo stepped up in crunch time, leading a fourth-quarter surge to secure a 75-68 win. It was their 28th consecutive AfroBasket victory and booked a fifth straight final.

Finals Filled with Drama

The Super Falcons faced a determined Morocco side in the final, with the hosts buoyed by a passionate home crowd at the Rabat Olympic Stadium. Morocco raced into a two-goal lead by halftime through Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaâ Mssoudy.

But Nigeria’s experience and resilience shone in the second half. Okoronkwo halved the deficit from the spot following a VAR review, then set up Ijamilusi to draw level minutes later. With the clock winding down, Jennifer Echegini struck the winner, completing a sensational comeback and sealing Nigeria’s 12th WAFCON crown.

D’Tigress also faced a stern test in their final against Mali. The Malians edged the first quarter, but Nigeria fought back to draw level by halftime. The defending champions took control in the third and never looked back, closing out the game with a dominant fourth quarter to win 78-64. The result marked an unprecedented fifth straight AfroBasket title and stretched their unbeaten run to 29 games, 10 years of African supremacy.

National Recognition

In recognition of their exceptional feats, President Bola Tinubu announced a reward package for both teams: $100,000 per player, three-bedroom homes, and the prestigious Officer of the Order of the Niger national honour.

Beyond the medals and accolades, the stories of the Falcons and D’Tigress speak to the unyielding spirit of Nigerian athletes. In the face of inadequate preparations, mounting pressure, and fierce opposition, they emerged not just as champions, but as national heroes.