By Adesakin Adefemi
Nigeria’s female basketball national team, D’Tigress, has continued their impressive run in the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament, thrashing Colombia 70-37 in Villeurbanne, France, on Wednesday. The Nigerian team, led by coach Rena Wakama, put on a dominant display, showcasing their skill, teamwork, and determination.
The D’Tigress started strong, posting a 16-0 scoring sequence and winning the third and fourth quarters where their opponent was limited to just eight points in total. Vitoria Macauley led the charge with 13 points, while forward Nicole Enabosi starred with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds, and also provided five assists.
Other top scorers for Nigeria include Guard Ifunaya Okoro, who chipped in 10 points, Ezinne Kalu with 8 points, and Elizabeth Balogun. The team’s strong performance was a testament to their hard work and preparation, and it’s clear that they’re a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
The victory marked D’Tigress’ sixth consecutive win, and they’re currently using their participation in the tournament to improve ranking points. Nigeria won the first quarter by six points (18-12), but Colombia staged a mini comeback to take the second by a lone point (17-16).
However, the third quarter proved to be the turning point for D’Tigress, with Macauley and Okoro scoring crucial points to tie the game at 27-27. Enabosi’s layup put Nigeria ahead again, and the team cruised to a comfortable second-half win.
“D’Tigress are looking strong and determined,” said coach Rena Wakama after the match. “We’re focused on improving our ranking points and making a statement in the tournament. We’ll take it one game at a time, and our next match against South Korea will be a tough one.”
D’Tigress will next face South Korea in their next match, and fans are eagerly anticipating the clash. The Nigerian team is already qualified for the FIBA World Cup, but they’re looking to make a deep run in the tournament and bring pride to their country.
The team’s strong performance has earned them praise from fans and pundits alike, and they’re expected to make a strong showing in the tournament. With their dominant display against Colombia, D’Tigress have sent a clear message to their opponents: they’re here to compete and win.
