By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s senior women basketball team, mostly known as D’Tigress have stormed Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, for the 2023 Women Afrobasket Championship.
The Nigerian team who are defending champions had departed the country via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja, on Tuesday for the biennial competition.
After the opening trials in the United States and Nigeria, the defending champions have been in camp preparing to defend their crown.
They will play the opening game of the championship on Friday July 28 against DR Congo.
Later on, they will tango against Egypt the following day in group D for a place in the knockout stage.
Key Player Out
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s key player Erica Ogwumike has withdrew from the competition, citing her medical exam in the United States.
Disclosing this via her social media handle, Ogwumike wrote, “Misinformation. I was invited but unfortunately could not attend due to medical school obligations, as I am starting my last year.
“Wishing my sister success in the upcoming tournament!”
Rwanda Target
Ahead of the championship, host country Rwanda is seeking home support to dethrone the reigning champions.
Kigali again becomes home of basketball as 12 countries get ready to tussle it out at the much-anticipated continental showpiece which dunks off on July 28 and runs until August 5th, at the state-of-the-art BK Arena.
“We have been preparing for this since January. We have dedicated ourselves to continuous training, and we are fully prepared to leave everything on the court.
“Our ultimate goal is to lift the championship at the expense of better countries and we are not alone in this ambition. “Every player on the team is ready to give their all and contribute to our country’s victory,” said Rwandan centre Assouma Uwizeye.
Rwanda’s last appearance in Women’s AfroBasket was in 2011.
