FIBA 2024 OQT: D'Tigress moves closer to 2024 Olympics with comeback win over Senegal

It was Nigeria who came out on top in a nail-biting battle of the African teams in Antwerp as they posted a 72-65 comeback win to beat Senegal and moved closer towards booking a place at the 2024 Olympic Games.

With both teams to face Belgium and the USA, this always looked to be a potential decider and it could prove that way after Nigeria extended their recent dominance of their fellow Africans.

Trailing 57-49 heading into the last 10 minutes and looking low on energy, Nigeria dug deep.

They started the last quarter with an 11-0 run to swing the contest back firmly in their favour.

TCL Player of the Game: Amy Akonkwo showed why she was MVP last year at the FIBA Women's AfroBasket. 

She led Nigeria with a magnificent 21 points and 10 rebounds.

A total of 16 offensive boards for Nigeria was an important number - as was a massive 30 points off the bench.

Nigeria endured a real roller-coaster having looked stronger early, having a huge wobble in the middle of the game and then coming back to get it done down the stretch. They leaned on Okonkwo for inspiration and she delivered.

Senegal had a win within their grasp but perhaps froze when the opportunity of a famous win came into sight. The loss was tough on Yacine Diop who netted 23 points. 

Nigeria standout, Amy Okonkwo said: "I am just so proud of my team. We fought through adversity being down in the first half. But when we listened to our coach and executed, it was a different game. It was about how we upped our energy and intensity. It felt like a Final, but every game should feel like that." 

While coach Rene Wakama couldn't hide her joy for the D'Tigress after another superlative performance 

"I am so incredibly proud of my team and I have a special group. The game was not pretty, but they stuck together and they got it done. It was beautiful as a coach to see them come together and fight back when things were not going their way. This game felt like a Final because we knew what was at stake. But we only just got past this first roadblock." 

Nigeria maintains her dominance on the continent as the D'Tigress have yet to lose to another African team since 2015.  

Nigeria will face the United States of America on Friday, 7 pm local time while Senegal will battle Belgium by 9 pm as the battle for the three Olympic slots in group A continues.