World basketball ruling body, FIBA on Saturday announced the schedule for the 2018 FIBA Basketball Women’s World Cup in Tenerife, Spain.
Nigeria Senior Women’s Basketball Team, D’Tigress will start their FIBA Women’s World Cup campaign against Australia on Saturday, September 22 at the Arena Santiago Martin, San Cristobal De La Laguna, Spain.
D’Tigress will be facing what may likely be their toughest game on paper in the group stage against an Australian side who are ranked 4th in the latest FIBA ranking.
According to the fixtures released by FIBA, the Sam Vincent-tutored team currently ranked 37th in the world and 5th in Africa will face world number 7, Turkey on September 23 at the Arena Quico Cabrera, Santa Cruz De Tenerife in their second game. While the next day has been set aside as match free day. The African champions will resume hostilities against Argentina who are currently ranked 15th in the world on September 25.
Meanwhile, Engr. Musa Kida faction of the Nigeria Basketball Federation has announced Atlanta, Georgia, USA as camp site for the D’Tigress World Cup preparation.
Kida called on corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to support the federation financially to ensure that the girls are adequately prepared for the challenges ahead.
The provisional list of invited players for the second ever World Cup appearance is expected to be released soon.
Recently, NBBF reviewed the membership of the management and coaching crew of the Men and Women’s National Teams to enhance their efficiency.
The federation confirmed that 2017 Afrobasket women winning coach, Sam Vincent will be leading the team to the World Cup while head coach of First Bank Women’s basketball club of Lagos, Peter Ahmedu retains his position as the assistant coach.
Sola Shomala (First Deep Water, Nigeria) was brought in as assistant coach to replace coach Ochuko Okworogun who was affected by the slight change. Former Nigeria international, Mactabene Amachree who was the team’s player’s development manager at the 2017 Afrobasket Women in Mali, replace her ex- D’Tigress team mate, Mfon Udoka as General Manager.
Nigeria qualified for her first World Cup in 2006 but failed to win any game and were eliminated from the group stage.
