Nigeria senior women’s basketball team D’Tigressess opened their account in the ongoing FIBA world cup qualifiers in Belgrade, Serbia on a losing note.
The reigning African Champions lost 76- 90 to the Asian giants, China who are at present, the 7th ranked team in the world.
Despite the lost, President of the Nigeria basketball federation, Mark Igoche hailed the heroic display of D’Tigress; and the team’s Coaching crew in their first game of the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.
Mr. Mark commended the team for their courage and resilience during the tension soaked game, and charged the ladies to take positives from the loss, which he described as a stepping stone to a better outing in their next game against European heavyweights France, on Friday.
“I must commend you for for showing courage; and giving the game against China their all…. The result not withstanding, let’s see it as a stepping stone towards a better outing in your next game. All I can tell you is that if you are never on the losing side, you are never truly tested, and may never be forced to grow. Pick up yourselves, go conquer France,” Mark stated.
A total of 16 countries are presently in Serbia slugging it out in the qualifiers, for slots at the FIBA World Cup scheduled to hold from September 22 to October 1, 2022, in Australia.
Confidence Okwuchi
