Newest member of the D’Tigress, Victoria Macaulay is excited to join the Africa Champions for their Afrobasket title defence in Dakar, Senegal.
The Galatasaray centre was named in the 12-player roster released by D’Tigress head coach Otis Hughley on Friday morning. Macaulay told www.aclsports.com she is elated to make the Nigeria national team.
“I am so excited to join the team this is my first time playing for Nigeria and also my first time I came to Nigeria. Out of 28 years being a full American and half Nigerian I am finally here. I am very excited for what we are about to do and accomplish. I am just happy to be here.”
Born to Nigerian parents in the United States of America with both parents from Lagos State, Macaulay revealed her dad helped her settle in when she arrived Lagos for the Afrobasket camp.
“My dad had to come from New York to show me my first time here so far it’s different from where I come from. It is definitely a great experience and I am definitely happy to be here and to represent my country,” Macaulay said.
Macaulay is ready to help the D’Tigress retain the title they won two years ago in Mali despite huge challenge from other teams.
“I am here to get the team to win the championship again and help my teammates and to really represent my country where my parents and where I am from and it is a blessing to be here.
“I hear they are very strong team I don’t care about the competition or opponents but I care about my national team. My teammates and I just know we are just going to take it all the way home,” Macaulay added.
Macaulay also reminisced the African delicacies she has had since her arrival to the D’Tigress camp.
“The food is amazing all I have been eating is African food I love the African culture may be I can gain about 5-10 pounds though in healthy way I am very skinny you know. Back home my mother will cook regular soup, tomato soup, chicken, fish but I really enjoy ogbono, different types of soup and she makes jollof rice too.”
Nigeria will face Tunisia in the opening game of the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket 2019 on Saturday at 10:00 GMT.
