D’Tigress have qualified for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Australia after their 73-69 win over Mali in their final qualifying game in Serbia today.

The African champions who started brightly almost threw away a 20-point lead as the dogged Malians tried to fight their way into the game but D’Tigress held on to record a three-point margin win. 

Mali took the first quarter 22-20 but the Nigerians were ruthless in the second quarter 22-13 to end the first half 42- 35 in favour of the Nigerians. 

The third quarter belonged to D’Tigress – 22-9 as they took a 20-point advantage into the fourth quarter but the Malians put up a spirited fight to take the final quarter 25-9 but it was not enough to get the win.

Amy Okonkwo led D’Tigress in scoring with 18 points followed by Nicole Enabosi and Atonye Nyingifa with 11 points apiece while point guard Promise Amukamara added 10 points.