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Nigerian Promise Amukamara faces Senegalese Fatou Babou Diagne, August 18, 2019. Courtesy of Fiba

Despite the support of their audience in Dakar and a superb end to the match, the Lionesses of Senegal lost in the final of the African Women's Basketball Championship Dace to Nigerian Sunday, August 18 (60-55). The D'Tigeress had a lot more trouble than two years ago, but they keep their crown against the same opponent.

What a show in the Dakar Arena! The final of Afrobasket 2019 between Nigeria and Senegal has not lacked suspense. This Sunday, August 18, the D'Tigeress and the Lionesses were facing each other to determine which would reign on the African continent for the next two years. A remake, in fact, of the final of two years ago in Mali. In 2017, Nigeria had a net score of 65-48. This year, the duel has been much harder, but the result remains the same: the Nigerians are champions of Africa (60-55).

Senegalese dominated during 3/4 of the final

The final of this 24th edition of the Afrobasket began in an atmosphere overheated by Senegalese fans, obviously present en masse to support the girls of the coach Sheikh Sarr. Everyone had to wait 30 minutes before the kickoff, because the previous match played on the floor of the hall Dakar, the "small final" for third place between Mali and Mozambique, has been delayed. The reason: the Malian jersey looked too much like that of their opponents. It was necessary to change tunic ... which did not stop Mali from prevailing (66-54).

Nigeria-Senegal started at 20h30 instead of 20h, and if Bintou Diémé opened the score at two points for the Senegalese, it is the Nigerians who set the tone afterwards. A first dominated quarter (14-10), a second of the same ilk, and halfway through, the champions of Africa led the race logically in the lead (32-24). A confirmed advantage in the third quarter. At the edge of the fourth and final quarter, the players Otis Hughley Jr. led and 48-37.

A mad resurrection before laying down arms

Back to the wall, Senegal played its all and the miracle began to take shape. Vacuum passage of D'Tigeress? Irresistible flight of Lionesses? It is perhaps a bit of both ... In any case, Senegal has cleared the gap thanks to a splendid start to the fourth quarter: the Senegalese have signed a 12-0 which allowed them to return to score and even take advantage (49-48)!

Piqued, vexed, the Nigerians have regained their spirits and orders behind. For several minutes, both selections were matched, but inexorably, Nigeria took the lead as the clock ran past. Evelyn Akhator, still brilliant (14 points, 9 rebounds), was decisive. This general awakening finally allowed this team to win its fourth continental title (60-55).

Senegal vs. Nigeria - Game Highlights FIXED pic.twitter.com/s6qGJfYUa9

FIBA (@FIBA) August 18, 2019

Four wins in four finals of Afrobasket (2003, 2005, 2017, 2019), including two against Senegal (2005 and 2019): Nigeria asserts itself more than ever as a stronghold of women's basketball in Africa. The record of victories of the Senegalese is still far (11 kings), but in the immediate future, it is the D'Tigeress who have the smile. The smile inherent to the champions of Africa.

Nigeria (winner), Senegal (finalist), Mali (third), Mozambique (fourth), Angola (fifth) and the DRC (sixth) will play the African pre-qualifying tournament for the 2020 Olympic Games.