TEAM PROFILE: Team to beat Nigeria aim fourth title in a row

 

ABUJA (Nigeria) - FIBA Women's AfroBasket reigning champions Nigeria are headed to Kigali vying to win the title for the fourth time in a row, a rare feat in the history of the competition. 

With the title won three straight times already, another attempt will only be reasonable for the history books. Wins in Mali 2017, Senegal 2019 and Cameroon 2021 have remained some of the best moments for Nigeria Women's basketball.

Still the best rated African team, 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.

FIBA.basketball takes a look at the Nigeria team ahead of the championship.

Team: Nigeria

Ranking: 16th in the world and 1st in Africa

Last participation in Women's AfroBasket: 2021 (5-0)

Best result at the AfroBasket: Three-peat (2017, 2019 and 2021)

How they qualified for the AfroBasket: As champions of the 2021 Women's AfroBasket

Africa: Nigeria has been the No.1 team on the continent for the past three years. 

Before 2017 when the new reign began, Nigeria had been champions of the AfroBasket women in 2003 in Mozambique and 2005 in Abuja, Nigeria.

In 2018, Nigeria finished 8th place in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup following a slim 73-72 loss to Canada.

2023 Women's AfroBasket Group: Nigeria are drawn in Group D, which compromises  of Egypt and Democratic Republic of Congo .

Elizabeth Balogun

Star Players: Serah Ogoke, Pallas Akpanah, Nkem Akaraiwe, Elizebeth Balogun, Amy Okonkwo and Murjanatu Musa are among the returning players from the 2021 squad that lifted the title.

Ogoke  is a three-time gold medalist of the Women's AfroBasket.

She participated at the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Currently, the guard plays on the African continent with player for Ferroviário de Maputo which is a big advantage for her. She is one player to looked out for as Nigeria seeks a fourth consecutive African title.

Coach: Rena Wakama is the new head coach for Nigeria. She was named as replacement for two-time winner of the Women's AfroBasket Otis Hughley.

According to the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Wakama was a 4-year letterman at the University of Western Carolina and played professional basketball in the United Kingdom.

Outlook: Clearly the team to beat, Nigeria face huge challenges in Kigali.

Given the change in the technical crew and the absence of top notch players that have before now lifted team, the team stands a big challenge to maintain status quo. The preparation period Coach Wakama and the women had to blend is short and building the chemistry may take a bit longer.

However, the returning players already know what to expect when the championship commences. Expectations are high from many that have followed them but it is left to them to get cracking and hard from their first game. How lucky can this team be to retain the title.?

FIBA