Nigeria’s D’Tigresses Overcome Adversity and Shine at Olympics

 

 

Nigeria’s historic run to the Paris 2024 women’s basketball tournament was highlighted by the strength of its defense and a touch of inspiration from its young coach.

The team known as D’Tigress became the first African team, men’s or women’s, to reach the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games after beating Canada in their final group game on Sunday.

West African athletes scored a victory in their Olympic debut in Athens in 2004, but had to wait 20 years for a second victory.

The challenge now is to consolidate the progress made.

“I’m really proud that they put Nigeria back on the map after 20 years,” Mfon Udoka, a member of the 2004 squad, told BBC Sport Africa.

“I just hope that in the near future it won’t take another 20 years to see the same success.”

However, the team has had to show a lot of resilience off the pitch to get to this stage.

Engaging in the midst of struggles

Since the turn of the millennium, Nigeria has emerged as the continent’s dominant team in women’s football, but the West African nation has failed to translate that success to the world stage.

Their presence at Tokyo 2020 was overshadowed by controversies over bonus payments and allowances, while governance issues within the national federation cost the team a spot at the 2022 Fiba World Cup.

However, their triumphant return to AfroBasket in 2023 marked their recent resurgence.

“This program has been through a lot and we are still struggling and striving,” said Lagos-born guard Elizabeth Balogun.

“We’re proving that no matter where you come from, we can compete. It’s been a long road and we’re still moving forward.”

Inadequate support and financial difficulties nearly brought the team to its knees, and before they even set off for Paris, the team faced another setback: captain Sarah Ogoke was forced to withdraw for personal reasons.

Power forward Nicole Enabosi believes the team’s performance in France reflects the team’s fighting spirit.

“This is our job and we have to take care of business,” he said.

“No matter what we faced, the adversity, we still managed to come out on top. It shows the magic of basketball.”

The Wakama Effect

Rena Wakama led Nigeria to continental glory and uncharted territory at the Olympic Games

The glue that holds this team together is Rena Wakama, the thirty-two-year-old whose journey with the team has been extraordinary.

In just over a year in charge as D’Tigress’s first female coach, Wakama won last year’s AfroBasket and then secured qualification for the Olympics in February.

“I think her resilience, her desire to make a name for herself and also to prove something to the critics who didn’t think she was good enough to take the job have [made] an impact,” basketball commentator and analyst Queen John-Moseph told BBC Sport Africa.

Udoka, who previously served as assistant coach for D’Tigress, said Wakama did an “amazing” job.

“It’s fantastic that he is so young and it shows the bright future he has ahead of him,” added the former international.

Wakama hopes her journey can inspire people across the continent to pursue their dreams and, more importantly, help grow women’s football.

“If we invest in Africa, we can do extraordinary things,” he said after the 79-70 victory over Canada.

“We need to focus on Africa and develop the game there. It starts with the basics.”

A strong rearguard

African basketball is often based on the strategy of “Take care of your defense and the offense will take care of itself.”

Nigeria’s defensive play certainly caught the eye, particularly their ability to put pressure on their opponents.

This was evident in the opening 75-62 win over Australia, which forced 26 turnovers, while D’Tigress led the tournament in steals.

“It was the strength of this Nigerian team,” John-Moseph said.

“It really helped us. They didn’t give Australia any space.”

Nigeria have used the aggressive nature of the African game to their advantage, with guard Balogun saying it is “a way of life” for the team.

“We wake up and do it every day,” the 23-year-old added.

“Nigeria is known for aggression, hunting and running away.”

Meanwhile, a 75-54 defeat in the second group game against hosts France gave Wakama pause for thought.

“It made us very humble and made us dig deep and get back to doing what we were doing.”

Led by Kalu Ezinne Kalu in action during the Paris 2024 Olympics

Ezinne Kalu, who plays basketball in her club in France, is attending her second Olympics

One figure who has stood out for Nigeria is guard Ezinne Kalu.

The 32-year-old is averaging 19.3 points per game and her 21 points against Canada made her the first Nigerian player to score 20 or more points at the Olympics since Mfon Udoka, who did it twice in 2004.

“Ezinne was the heart and soul of the team,” Udoka said.

“She’s tough, combative and strong, and she had a really great tournament. The rest of the team follows her example.”

Guard Promise Amukamara leads the team in assists, averaging 6.7 per game, while forward Murjanatu Musa has been instrumental on defense, averaging 6.7 rebounds per game.

Now the D’Tigress face their toughest challenge yet.

Defending champions the United States will face each other on Wednesday at the Bercy Arena (19:30 GMT).

Can Nigeria defeat US stars?

The U.S. women have won the last seven Olympic tournaments, are chasing their 10th overall gold, and with WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson and veterans Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young on their roster, Nigeria apparently has their work cut out for them.

“We will definitely play hard against them, but I don’t know how long it will last because we don’t have much depth,” Udoka admitted.

“The US, whoever comes off the bench, maintains the same pace, the same momentum.”

This is the second Olympic meeting between the two teams, following the United States’ victory at the Tokyo Games three years ago, while D’Tigress was defeated 100-46 in the qualifying tournament in February.

“There are many murderers in the United States [team] to protect,” John-Moseph told Newsday on the BBC World Service.

“It’s going to be really tough, but the girls have fought hard to get here.

For Wakama, D’Tigress have already done much of the hard work over the past few years.

“[There is] no pressure now. We’ve shown everyone that we should be here.” [BBC]

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