19th Fiba AWC: Niger rump to first victory, as Mal

The joy of the players and officials from Niger Republic knows no bound Saturday as they rump to their first win over Gabon at the ongoing 19th Fiba Africa Women Championship holding in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Niger team coached by Ahmadu Goukoye lived up to their pre-match boast that they will take the game against their Central African opponent which they won 53-38 points (14-15), (15-06), (12-10) and (11-08) with Boukary Aissatou notching up 14 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steal and one assist while Ide Zelica added 10 points and 13 rebounds.

With the way the Nigerien ladies and their team officials celebrated the win over Gabon a first timer to the Sports Hall of the Abuja National Stadium would think that the Africa zone-3 country have booked one of the two ticket from the Fiba Africa zone to the 2006 Fiba World Championship billed for Brazil.

The Kafui Vouti captained Niger side would keep a date against Angola on Xmas day and play their last group-B game against Mozambique Monday.

And in group-A the race for who joins group leader Senegal for the semi-finals continues as strong contender, Mali battered hapless Togo in a one-sided game 93-26 points.

Mali who now ties on points with Nigeria will have to wait till Monday to know their fate of whether they will join the semi-finals train or surrender the spot to host Nigeria who seems to have put behind it the 65-55 points lose of Thursday to Senegal.

All teams in group-A will observe tomorrow December 24 as rest day while only one match will be played in group-B between Niger Republic and Angola.