D’Tigres will take on Mali for the last ticket to qualify for this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Sydney, Australia.
The Nigeria women’s team claimed their famous first win against France with a hard-fought return success of 67–65.
With a drop of 20 points after the opening exchanges (11–31), d’Atigress slowly backed France back again, helped by a wonderful half-court buzzer-beater by Promise Amucamara at the end of the third period. .
D’Tigres then took the lead in the middle of the final quarter to draw a dramatic conclusion. And, in what proved to be a compelling roller-coaster finish, both nations could have won, but it was the Nigerian side that accomplished it.
They were mainly driven by Victoria Macaulay, who showed up with 19 points, 5 steals, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, while France were penalized by 25 large turnovers.
Despite the loss, France are now in a draw with Nigeria and Mali due to their positive points average (+9).
One last ticket to Sydney is now available between Nigeria and Mali.
Nigeria will qualify with a win against Mali. If France beats China on Sunday, they will qualify even if they lose by 6 or less points.
Mali will qualify by winning 7 or more points against Nigeria. If they win by less than 7, France will have to beat China in order for them to qualify.
