Playing at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, the reigning champions were ruthless from the outset, dominating every quarter and extending their unbeaten run in the tournament to an impressive 25 games since October 2015.
The six-time champions and four-time defending titleholders wasted no time setting the tone, outscoring Rwanda 17-8 in the first quarter. Their defensive tenacity and offensive fluidity only intensified as the game progressed. By halftime, they had widened the gap with a 28-17 second-quarter performance. The third quarter saw Nigeria tighten their grip with a 26-12 run, before closing out the contest in emphatic fashion by taking the final quarter 21-8.
Elizabeth Balogun, currently plying her trade with Charnay Basket in France, led the scoring charge with 18 points, complemented by four offensive and two defensive rebounds. Her sharp shooting and presence in the paint made her a standout performer.
Veteran forward Victoria Macaulay added valuable experience and stability, contributing 13 points and six rebounds, while Murjanatu Musa proved formidable under the boards with 12 points, five defensive rebounds, and two on the offensive end.
The Rwandan team struggled to find any rhythm throughout the match, unable to cope with Nigeria’s speed, tactical organisation, and superior bench depth. D’Tigress dictated the pace and shut down key Rwandan threats, making it a largely one-sided affair.
Earlier in the day, another African powerhouse, Senegal, cruised to a 92-48 win over Guinea in their opening Group B fixture, setting the stage for what promises to be a competitive tournament among the continent’s top sides.
With this dominant display, D’Tigress reaffirmed their intent to clinch a record-extending seventh continental title and their fifth in a row. Their next test comes against Mozambique on Monday at 4 p.m., again in Abidjan. A win there would further consolidate their position at the summit of African basketball and edge them closer to yet another championship run.