Kigali - August 06 (Mediaage NG News) – Nigeria’s Rena Wakama has become the first women’s basketball coach to lead a team to victory in a female AfroBasket championship final.
She achieved this feat after Nigeria defeated Senegal 84-74 in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, in front of a sell-out crowd. This victory is Nigeria’s fourth in a row, equalling Senegal’s record which began in 1970
“It has been a long year for me. I asked God for a sign, and this trophy was the biggest of them all”, Wakama said.
Senegal had trailed Nigeria from early in the first quarter and a late dash for points in the fourth quarter meant it was not enough to make up the difference.
Ifanya Okoro was Nigeria’s top scorer with 16 points. Senegal’s point guard Ciarra Dillard outscored her by three.
Mali defeated hosts Rwanda 89-52 in the third-fourth place playoff.