Nigeria senior women’s national team, D’Tigress might have bowed out of the ongoing FIBA Women’s World Cup in Spain but they have continued to receive commendation from Nigerians.
The USA had to overcome a slow start to beat Nigeria 71-40. Surprisingly, the D’Tigress were able to limit the Americans in the first quarter 9-17 a first achieved by a team in Spain. The defending champions also couldn’t set a record of 10,000 points at the World Cup only reached 9,999 points.
Below are some of the best reactions expressed by Nigerians on twitter.
CHAMPIONS….!!!
Thank you for the memories
Thank you for a record breaking tournament
Thank you for the sweat, the blood and the tears
Thank you for daring to dream
Thank you for defending and representing these colours ??
Thank you @DtigressNG ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/sYpgEvwMpE
— Sola Oyeniyi (Royalty) (@sholsss) September 28, 2018
What a performance we have had in Spain. Am so proud of the team despite the loss
It's no shame we lost to the best team in the world but @DtigressNG have shown the world that we can compete.
They are our heroines. #FIBAWWC2018 pic.twitter.com/RjQ1i0gmUx— ADETOLA ADEOLA FARUK (@adetolafaruk) September 28, 2018
We came , we saw couldn't conquer the world champions but we have set and broken records in Tenerife. And we are still champions in our own way.
Thanks @DtigressNG for a good outing and the @nbbfonline
FT USA 71-40 Nigeria #FIBAWWC #FIBAWWC2018 pic.twitter.com/Anl8mQKt63
— Queen john (@Queenjohn4) September 28, 2018
They may have bowed out, but our daring @DtigressNG have created the best memories of the #FIBAWWC2018 and we are PROUD!
?????????#FIBAWWC #ReachYourDream pic.twitter.com/bEkwFxLPhr
— Chibuogwu N. (@Chibuogwu_N) September 28, 2018
It was fun while it lasted. Go D’Tigress!!! #FIBAWWC #FIBAWWC2018
— Ayotunde Onabolu (@AyotundeOnabolu) September 28, 2018
Ends 71-40.
This is where the D'tigress will drop its anchor, but still has to play for ranking.
So there's so much basketball still to play.
It's been an incredible trip @DtigressNG pic.twitter.com/HJvyg8IbBo— Latifat Adebayo Ohio (@Phatill) September 28, 2018
Result: ?? 71-40 ??
The dream to be world champions evaporates, but this is how I’d remember these Amazons.
Well done D’Tigress. ❤️? pic.twitter.com/7wrVjzetBC
— Emmanuel Etim (@Emiearth) September 28, 2018
DTigress will not advance to the semifinals of the #FIBAWWC as they lost the quarterfinal game to @usabasketball
Final scores ?? 71-40 ??
Regardless, our ladies put up an amazing and impressive preformance in Spain. We are absolutely proud of them. ?? ?? ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/jDjrXT6Dfn
— BballNaija (@BballNaija) September 28, 2018
The adventure ends here, but the journey continues
Thank you all for your support.#NBBF #DTigress #naijababes pic.twitter.com/DxBjMNPrkG
— #DTigress (@DtigressNG) September 28, 2018
The Girls lost to the USA, but boy did they make us proud. Hold your head up high ladies. #Nigeria is proud of you. ? #DTigress #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/4mVlBOn850
— Yinka Ogunnubi (@yinkanubi) September 28, 2018
They exit the tournament with their heads high. These ladies have so much to be proud of. They've made history. ??❤️ #DTigress #FIBAWWC #FIBAWWC2018 #Nigeria pic.twitter.com/NVWTqhZfGp
— Biola Omowanle (@Beeorlicious) September 28, 2018
Thank you for making Africa proud @DtigressNG. You still remain our champions.
You held your own against the world's best teams and changed the African narrative.
The world had better watch out for us.
We'll be back… #FIBAWWC #FIBAWWC2018 pic.twitter.com/j5QHugGDen
— YBLNigeria (@yblnigeria) September 28, 2018
We didnt lose….we learned! Poud of D'Tigress #WeLiveBasketball
— Femi Ogundipe (@femmyphronesis) September 28, 2018
I know it will be hard for Dtigress to defeat USA, it ends 71-40 in favour of USA. It's been an incredible trip for Nigeria female basketball team. I'm proud of them.
— AJALA (@UNCLE_AJALA) September 28, 2018
Thank you #DTigress for impressive performance at the world cup in Spain. Absolutely proud of the girls. #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/5VcqdGJC3x
— Adémọ́lá Adéìfẹ́ọba (@AdeAdeifeoba) September 28, 2018
Our heroines, our beauties.
Hold ya heads up.
Stay 'Queening' #DTigress #FIBAWWC2018 @nbbfonline @titansbasket @BballNaija pic.twitter.com/2rp0eMop7b
— Andrew Randa (@RandaAndrew) September 28, 2018
Nigerian-born Chiney Ogwumike whose sister, Nneka played against Nigeria also commended the D’Tigress for their efforts.
Great win for USA and @Nnemkadi30! Great effort by the Nigerian women! History happening on both sides. Blessed to experience the best of both worlds! ????
— Chiney Ogwumike (@Chiney321) September 28, 2018
Meanwhile, Sports minister Barr Solomon Dalung had promised the D’Tigress $10,000 for a win against the United States of America.
Nigeria Sports Minister, @SolomonDalung to reward #DTigress with $10,000 if they defeat USA in the quarter final of the 2018 @FIBAWC later today.#NBBF #ImpossibilityisNothing #StriveForGreatness #FIBAWWC2018 pic.twitter.com/ku4G0j3S3J
— #NBBF (@nbbfonline) September 28, 2018
Barrister Solomon Dalung has promised to reward @DtigressNG with $10,000 if they beat @usabasketball today in d quarter final of @FIBA 2018 Women's World Cup in Tenerife – Spain. @SilkOkoye @nbbfonline @BballNaija @Guarantor2011 @TrafficChiefNG @titansbasket #FIBAWWC2018 pic.twitter.com/qlNrko8CRK
— Olatoye Olawale (@1on1is1) September 28, 2018
A Nigerian faulted the idea behind the pledge as a tool to motivate the girls to victory.
That video of Dalung "motivating" DTigress players with $10,000 to beat the USA is an insult to those wonderful ladies. They didn't record that feat to be offered a pittance as motivation. If money is your only tool to motivate people,at least bring big bags. Not $10k. #FIBAWWC
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) September 28, 2018
