FIBA Women’s AfroBasket reigning champions Nigeria will begin their quest for a fourth title in a row when they take on DR Congo on Friday in their opening game of the 2023 FIBA Afro Basketball Championship in Kigali, Rawanda.
D’ Tigress who are the best ranked team in Africa will look to maintain their dominance haven won the last three editions with Wins in Mali 2017, Senegal 2019 and Cameroon 2021.
D’Tigress remain the team to beat if records are to be followed. The big question is if the team can still hold its own given the several changes that have occurred in terms of personnel and coaching staff.
The team led by coach Rena Wakama arrived in Kigali, Rwanda on Wednesday and are prepared for their opening encounter against DR Congo on Friday which will be followed by a match against Egypt on Saturday.
Rena Wakama will be in charge of a team to a major competition for the first in her coaching career and would be the only Female coach at the competition.
The team would be without notable names who was part the team that won the last edition in Cameroon in 2021 with captain Adaora Elonu, Promise Amukamara, Ezinne Kalu, Victoria Macaulay, Ify Ibekwe, Oderah Chidim and Nicole Enabosi ommited.
Sarah Ogoke, Elizabeth Balogun, Pallas Kunayi-Apannah, Nkem Akaraiwe and Amy Okonkwo are the only names listed that were part of the victorious squad in 2021.
Others included in the team are new face which are Toyosi Abiola, Tomi Taiwo, Onaibe Believe Jessica, Theresa Anta, Joy Ebiega, Okoro Ifunaya and Hembam Wandoo.
For many Basketball pundits, Nigerians should only be optimistic of a good outing in Rewanda.
