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By Joe Apu
Reigning AfroBasket champions, Nigeria’s D’Tigress will no longer have the privilege of playing the planned international warm up games in Abuja.
This followed the late arrival of the players that started arriving Thursday into Nigeria forcing the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF to shelve the while idea.
Secondly, the two foreign teams – Kenya and Togo could not make the trip to Nigeria due to what federation sources described logistics hindrances.
Following the latest development, the Nigerian team will only hold scrimmages to get in shape before departing for Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire where they will begin the defence of their crown against Rwanda on July 25th inside the Palaise de Sport arena, Treishville.
Inside camp sources also revealed that the friendly international was put off to avoid injuries as the time was too short to risk any. “We have looked critically at the situation and see that it is risky for our players to be involved in any serious game now ahead of the AfroBasket. We afford to have any injuries as it stands. So, we’ll have our practice sessions starting Sunday.”
Other News
No less than 14 players are currently in camp in Abuja with head Coach Rena Wakama as the D’Tigress officially begins preparation for the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan, Ivory Coast according to www.aclsports.com reports.
The early arrivals include key returnees like Amy Okonkwo, Nicole Enabosi, Ezinne Kalu, and Elizabeth Balogun.
Players currently in camp are Solape Amusan, Olawuyi Adenike, Murja Musa, Amy Okonkwo, Nicole Enabosi, Victoria Macaulay, Vera Ojenuwa, Elizabeth Balogun, Abiodun Damilare, Blessing Ejiofor, Ifunaya Okoro, Abiodun Yusuf, Pallas Kunaiyi, and Ezinne Kalu.
More players are expected in the coming days as the squad gradually builds toward full strength.
Head coach Rena Wakama, made history in 2023 as the first Nigerian female coach to win the AfroBasket title, leading D’Tigress to their fourth consecutive continental championship.
The 2025 AfroBasket Championship will run from July 25 to August 3 in Ivory Coast. Nigeria, the reigning champions, will look to extend their dominance on the continent. The top four teams at the tournament will advance to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments.
