By Kayode John
Coach Juliana Ojoshogu Negedu has expressed excitement and gratitude after J’Tigresses beat Egypt on Wednesday to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing FIBA Women’s U-18 Afrobasket in Pretoria, South Africa.
The Nigerian junior female basketball team had lost 72-60 in the opening group phase to the Egyptians, but they got their pound of flesh at a crucial stage of the competition to record a 66-51 victory.
Abigail Isaac was the top performer for the Nigerian girls with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds.
“I feel excited and grateful that we have made it this far. After the team acclimatized, they were back to themselves,” an elated Negedu said.
The J’Tigresses will on Friday face Uganda, who defeated Tunisia 69-53 in their quarter-final clash.
The East Africans rolled over Nigerian 80-64 in the final group game and this game will present Nigeria an opportunity to take revenge, as they did against Egypt.
Nigeria is one win from becoming one of Africa’s two representatives to next year’s FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Switzerland.
