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Nigeria women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, is gearing up for a grand outing at the upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, following a testing campaign in the qualifying series in Lyon.
Coach Rena Wakama expressed confidence in her team’s growth, despite recording two wins and three close losses against top teams such as South Korea, France and Germany.
The team ended the tournament with an 81-73 loss to Germany at the Villeurbanne Sports Arena. Wakama, however, praised his players’ resilience and competitive edge during matches.
Elizabeth Balogun led Nigeria’s scoring in the final game with 15 points, while Musa Mujarnatu added 13 points and six rebounds.
Veteran guard Sarah Ogoke also made her final appearance, bringing the curtain down on her international career.
Wakama noted that the tournament provided valuable information, highlighting the need for more precise starts and better decisions at crucial moments as the team prepares towards the World Cup.
Standout center Victoria Macaulay earned a spot in the All-Star Five, along with Janelle Salaun, Leeseul Kang, Frieda Buhner and Marine Johannes.
France top the table, with Germany in second place, while South Korea and Nigeria have also impressed.
With 16 participating teams confirmed, including Nigeria, Australia, USA and Belgium, D’Tigress will now focus on fine-tuning its preparations with the aim of making a significant impact on the global stage.
