It has been an amazing World Cup for the ladies in Green and White, D’Tigress of Nigeria and the first half of this showed how much they have grown in recent years.
The female National Basketball team became the first Africa country to play in the qaurter-final and also finished at 8th position at the end of the FIBA Women World Cup.
D’Tigress coming got three straight wins over Turkey, Argentina and Greece, fought hard to book their place in the semi-finals but fell to the super powers of their American opponents.
D’Tigress recorded a 17-9 lead in the first quarter but fell 16-18 in the second and 12-19 in the third before crashing 5-25 in the third to the nine times world champions.
However, D’Tigress have by far achieved so all ramification being the first African team to berth in the quarter-finals of the World Cup and look good to restore their quality in the classifications match.
While fans all over the country continue to shower encomium on the D’Tigress, it is good we also talk about their giant stride and their good performance at the competition.
Though, some of them attributed their success to tremendous support from board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, led by Musa Kida.
Team captain, Adaora Elonu said the solid structure, which has continued to cause upsets, would not have been possible without the right condition and atmosphere they are currently enjoying from the federation.
Team captain, Adaora Elonu, said the world should not just be fixated on what the girls have achieved at the World Cup without paying special attention to those who made it happen.
Elonu said: “We have never had things this good until now. “The world is talking about Nigeria upsetting bigger foes, but before we got to this stage, some people (NBBF) have been working behind the scene to make sure that the players have the best of preparation and a conducive atmosphere heading to the World Cup.”
D’Tigress coach Otis Hughley Jr praised his side’s efforts in the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Tenerife Spain, especially their last match against USA.
“I love these girls. I have two biological daughters and I feel like I have 12 more daughters,” Hughley said during his post-match interview.
“I thought they fought really well in the first half. I think the difference in the game is who shot well. I thought we played exponentially above what we have.
“Our girls dug down until there was nothing left. I’ve never felt so happy after a 31-point loss.”
Nigeria started brilliantly in the game holding the USA to nine points in the first quarter, the first time it ever happened to the USA in World Cup or Olympics history.
