Sports

FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Rwanda 2023: Witnessing the Prowess of Nigeria’s D’Tigress

Published

3 years ago

August 13, 2023

Eric

By Dolapo Aina

The national basketball women team of Nigeria D’Tigress had a phenomenal run in the city of Kigali which is the capital of Rwanda during the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2023 tourney. The ladies went past Congo DR, Egypt, Rwanda and at the finals had to re-assert dominance over The Lionesses of Senegal (the final was the closest game which would be termed as tough for the ladies from Nigeria.) The tense game was expected as the game was more of a West African showdown in East Africa: The Jollof War in Kigali. The Nigerian community in Kigali were all out in their numbers to cheer the ladies to assured victory.

The assured victory was evident from the beginning of the tourney as the camaraderie between coach Rena Wakama and the ladies was as glaring as the sun bouncing off the hills in Kigali. Their poise, confidence and preparedness in all their games were unmatched whether on the court or courtside. Nevertheless, during the final, D’Tigress were very professional. With the unrelenting support of the Nigerian community engineered by the Nigerian diplomats at the Nigeria High Commission in Kigali; the Nigerian community metamorphosed into one of the most vociferous Nigerian sports supporters one would ever find outside Nigeria, the ladies were super-charged. On a lighter note, it is doubtful if anyone in Sub-Sahara Africa is as vociferous as a Nigerian if it comes down to a shouting contest. The decibels at the BK Arena for the Nigerian games against Rwanda and Senegal might just be one of the loudest recorded sporting jubilations at the magnificent edifice situated in Remera in Kigali.

Senegal was not playing hard defence against Nigeria during the first half quarter of the game. Therefore, the Nigerian team was making most of their shots, including three shots, and that was the reason D’Tigress were in the lead at the end of the first half. To be blunt and honest, Nigeria could have tightened up even more on their defence during the first half. The Nigerian supporters comprising the Nigerian community in Kigali took a break from the drumming, singing and hyping.

During the second half, Senegal came back from halftime with nothing short of a vengeance which is more of a West African rivalry. The Lionesses from Senegal came back prepared to fight. Senegal tightened up on their defence tremendously and rebounds were made as the final statistics from FIBA revealed.

Now, during the third quarter, Nigeria’s lack of defence hurt them because it enabled Senegal to garner points. The third quarter was quite a defining set because during the third quarter, some of the Nigerian players, once they had possession of the ball, would gravitate to the right-hand corner of the court before they would try to take a shot. Senegal noticed it also, so two or more of the Senegalese players would force the Nigerian player into a corner. And once this was done, the Nigerian player would then be unable to pass the ball. At this point, the Nigerian player would desperately try to make the shot but would miss. And this happened time and time again.

One could tell that towards the end of the third quarter and the early part of the fourth quarter, the Nigerian players were getting nervous and frustrated. They were missing their shots and fumbling and turning over the ball a few times and Senegalese were able to gain possession and make shots. Meanwhile, Senegal did get a little overzealous with their defence a few times and D’Tigress of Nigeria were able to get quite a few foul shots called in. The Nigerian supporters were still unrelenting.
Rena Wakama who is Nigeria’s coach was always pacing the courtside and making the appropriate changes when the time called for it. She called the ladies in with about four to five minutes left in the game for a strategising session which turned out to be the rallying point and tonic the team needed. Once that strategizing session ended, the ladies came back on court fighting and charging like tigresses at any obstacle. They tightened up on their defence; they increased their rebounds and assists. They came back in hitting three-point shots. The ladies came back into the game fighting to win. They came back hungry and realised they did not come this far to lose. Nigeria ended the game (84-74) in grand style with a three-pointer shot that sent the players of D’Tigress and the Nigerian community in Kigali into joyous pandemonium.

Nigeria’s Amy Okonkwo, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player told FIBA website that: “We have a coach that believes in us. It has us fighting till the end, even in adversity. So, we knew we had our destiny in our hands. Even when Senegal came back, we knew we had to step up, to keep together and we made it happen. I was playing in Mexico this summer, and I’m thankful to have the opportunity to come and lead. And I had the opportunity to lead the team. I told to myself that I was not coming to Kigali to lose anything. And being MVP is a huge honour.”
Rena Wakama, Nigeria’s head coach who was ubiquitous during the final stated that: “Against Mozambique, we were down by 10 or 12 points. I looked into their eyes, and they told me: “Coach, we’re not going to lose this game and they came back to win. That was the defining moment for me. It has been a long year for me. I asked God for a sign, and this trophy was the biggest of them all.”

Sports

FIFA Strikes Out Nigeria’s Petition, Okays DR Congo for 2026 World Cup Play-Off

Published

3 days ago

March 4, 2026

Eric

Nigeria’s hopes of securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have effectively ended after FIFA confirmed the Democratic Republic of the Congo as Africa’s representative in the upcoming inter-confederation play-off tournament.

In an official accreditation notice circulated to media covering the event, FIFA outlined the competition format and confirmed the six nations set to compete for the final two spots at the expanded global tournament.

The announcement excludes Nigeria, whose football authorities had lodged a formal protest following their defeat by DR Congo in the CAF play-offs in November 2025.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) challenged the result, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive tie, which ended 1-1 before the Leopards prevailed on penalties.

The NFF sought to overturn the outcome and secure reinstatement into the inter-confederation play-offs.

However, FIFA’s latest communication makes no reference to any amendment to the qualified teams, strongly indicating that the original result stands.

In its statement, FIFA said: “The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament will see six teams fight it out for the final two places at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, to be staged in Canada, Mexico and the United States across 16 host cities.”

The governing body confirmed the participating nations as Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname.

Tournament format and fixtures

The play-off tournament will take place from March 26 to March 31, 2026, in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico.

According to FIFA, the four lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking — Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname — will contest bracket semi-finals.

The two highest-ranked sides — DR Congo and Iraq — will advance directly to the final stage.

This format places DR Congo one match away from qualification, with the African side set to face the winner of Jamaica versus New Caledonia for a place at the 2026 finals.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first edition expanded to 48 teams.

For Nigeria, FIFA’s confirmation brings months of uncertainty to a close. Although no separate public ruling was issued specifically addressing the NFF’s petition, the unchanged list of qualified teams suggests the appeal was unsuccessful.

Sports

Barcelona Moves: Galatasaray Place €80m Price Tag on Osimhen

Published

3 weeks ago

February 12, 2026

Eric

Turkish Super Lig club, Galatasaray, have slapped an €80 million release clause on Victor Osimhen amid interest from Spanish giants Barcelona, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osimhen has been one of the most prolific strikers in the world over the last four years. In fact, he only recently scored his 200th career goal.

Since his permanent move to Galatasaray, he has been the club’s poster boy due to his impressive performances. This season, he has contributed 15 goals and one assist in 21 appearances across all competitions for the Cimbom.

The Nigerian international has been particularly vital in the UEFA Champions League, where he has already netted six goals.

His performances have not gone unnoticed, however, as several top clubs continue to keep tabs on him.

The 27-year-old only joined Galatasaray last summer for a Turkish transfer record fee of €75 million, but many clubs in Europe’s top five leagues would fancy having him as their leading man.

Now, according to a report by Turkish outlet Haberlisin, Spanish giants Barcelona are plotting a move for Osimhen.

Why Barcelona want Osimhen

Barcelona’s current top striker is Robert Lewandowski, and the club is looking to move on from the veteran, who will turn 38 in August.

With second-choice striker Ferran Torres not considered a reliable long-term option, the Catalans are searching for a proper talisman to lead their line.

According to Haberlisin, Barcelona have made Osimhen a major target and are willing to go all out for him in the summer.

However, Galatasaray won’t let him leave for cheap. Having paid €75 million for his services just seven months ago, they will want to maximize their return on the transfer. Consequently, they have slapped a hefty €80 million price tag on the Super Eagles star.

Although they are one of the biggest clubs in the world, Barcelona might struggle to meet this valuation due to their ongoing financial troubles. However, over the last three years, they have managed to pull off several big-money deals.

For Osimhen, even though he loves life at Galatasaray and earns a Turkish-record salary, he likely still has eyes on playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

It remains to be seen how hard the Spanish giants will push to get this transfer over the line and whether Osimhen will be willing to go.