D’ Tigers of Nigeria have emerged the inaugural champions in the men’s category of the 2017 FIBA 3X3 Africa Cup beating Cote d’ Ivoire in the final game by 21 to 9 points.
The Nigerian team led by Azuoma Dike left no one in doubt in the encounter after dispatching Egypt 21-14 points in the semi-finals and were unstoppable as Abdul Yahaya who scored a total of 39 points in five games left the Ivoriens confused.
Godwin David and Lucky Subel also gave a good account of themselves to ensure victory for Nigeria in the finals.
It was double honors for Nigeria as Dike was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament while being named in the competition’s top three players list which included Tisiane Traore of Cote d’ Ivoire and Elly Randriamampionona of Madagascar.
Mali proved too powerful for the D’Tigress in the final as they emerged 12-11points winners in a keenly contested game.
Despite settling for the Silver medal, Nigeria’s Nkechi Akashili was named as one of the top 3 players alongside Mali’s Nassira Traore and Jamla Nasikombi of Uganda.
This is the second major title won under the new NBBF after the D’Tigress went 8 games unbeaten to emerge African champions in Mali.
The NBBF has so far led the national team at the cadet and senior level to 6 international competitions since its inauguration on the 21st of July, 2017 and returned with 2 gold trophies and 4 silver medals.
Final standings of the FIBA 3×3 Africa Cup 2017:
Women
1.Mali
2.Nigeria
3.Uganda
4.Cote d’Ivoire
5.Egypt
6.Ghana
7.Togo
8.Niger
9.Mauritania
10.Gambia
Men
1.Nigeria
2.Cote d’Ivoire
3.Madagascar
4.Egypt
5.Togo
6.Mali
7.Benin
8.Uganda
9.Ghana
10.Mauritania
11.Niger
12.Gambia