Macaulay sets sight on Tokyo 2020, ready to make impact with Nigeria in Serbia

ISTANBUL (Turkey) - Victoria Macaulay may be one of Nigeria's newest additions but she has embraced the D'Tigress' spirit perfectly.

So much so that Macaulay, who made her debut with the Nigerians at last year's FIBA Women's AfroBasket in Dakar, can't hide the reigning African champions's aspirations at next month's FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade.

In the Serbian capital, the Nigerians will try to secure one of Group A's three tickets for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"I AM MENTALLY PREPARED FOR WHATEVER THAT COMES MY WAY WITH THE HELP OF MY TEAMMATES BECAUSE WE NEED TO WIN AS MANY GAMES AS WE CAN AND MAKE IT TO TOKYO."-  Macaulay

The 29-year old power forward says the prospect of being in Serbia is exciting. "I am very excited to go to Serbia. I feel like we have a very good chance of playing well and making it to Tokyo for the Olympics," she told FIBA.basketball.

Given the fact that the Nigerians are faced with tough opposition from fellow African side Mozambique, hosts Serbia, and Olympic and World reigning champions USA, the 1.94m (6ft 4in) star insists that she is not scared and has no worries about the Belgrade challenge.

"No pressure at all. I believe in my team and myself and we are very talented and strong. Though it may be some challenging games I think we'll be alright. I don't think anything is going to be an easy ride. All the teams we play against are very good teams. The more wins under our belt the better for us."

While not taking any of the teams for granted, Macaulay who plays for Turkish side Galatasaray admits that they are going to take it one game at a time and go from there. "With 100 percent focus, I believe we will go far. I pray for the best with both women and men's team. We're trying to put Nigeria back on the map."

Macaulay noted that all teams are great and every team has their own way of playing. Therefore, Nigerians must adjust and prepare on how to stop them to the best of their abilities.

As for her preparedness for the tournament, she says as a seven-year professional veteran in the game of basketball, she is ready to roll. "I believe I'm mentally prepared for whatever that comes my way with the help of my teammates because we need to win as many games as we can and make it to Tokyo."

With the elimination Nigeria suffered in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Spain, an event she didn't take part, still fresh in her mind, Macaulay calls her teammates to be more physical and dominant in the paint in Belgrade.

 FIBA