‘D’Tigress’ path to Paris 2024 Olympics smooth, but also slippery’

D’Tigress

Nigeria’s women national basketball team, D’Tigress, have been presented with the opportunity to make a back-to-back outing at the Olympic Games with the draws released by FIBA yesterday, a stakeholder, Sabinus Ikewuaku, has said.

He added, however, that the country could easily fail to make it to Paris if the team and the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) do not prepare adequately for the challenges ahead.

Nigeria has been drawn with defending champions, United States, Belgium, and Senegal in a qualifying competition to hold in Belgium. 12 other teams will battle for qualification in three other venues. The qualifying tournaments are due to be played between February 4 and 11.

Speaking on the draws, Ikewuaku, who said Nigeria’s group is favourable to the D’Tigress, believes the Rena Wakama side can beat both Senegal and Belgium if they get the required preparation.

“We defeated Senegal in the final of the last FIBA Afrobasket to win the championship, even with little preparation. So, if the team gets adequate preparation and are psychological ready, they can repeat the feat in Brussels. Belgium will have the home support, but in the past, D’Tigress have won great games despite fans’ support for their opponents. So, I don’t see that being a serious hindrance.

“The United States are the world’s best team, so many expect them to beat Nigeria. But we could surprise them if we present a united and well-prepared team. In any case, we should finish at least second or third in the group,” he said.

The four round-robin Paris 2024 qualifying competitions are due be held in China, Antwerp, Belem and Sopron, with each featuring four teams. Both France and the United States will compete, despite already qualifying for Paris