By Amaechi Agbo
The National Sports Commission, NSC, has congratulated the Nigeria U18 Women Basketball team, the Junior D’Tigress, for securing qualification to the 2027 FIBA U19 Women’ World cup in China.
The Nigerian girls showed total resilience in their semi final match against host Ivory coast at the FIBA U19 AfroBasket to secure the World cup ticket and book their spot in the tournament’s final against Mali on Sunday.
The hard-fought win against the Ivorians ended 53-50 points in favour of the junior D’Tigress.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade said the Nigerian Girls deserve all the accolades for achieving the World cup ticket, especially in a very difficult environment playing against the host nation.
The DG also commended the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, led by the President, Engr Musa Kida, for the progressive success of the Country’s National teams especially the Country’s Women National teams.
“ The Girls have done very well to secure their place at the Women’s World cup in China next year which shows their commitment, patriotism and discipline.Now that the World cup ticket has been secured , I have no doubt that they can win the Afrobasket in Sunday’s final against Mali”.
“ As we have always done with every other sports, I want to assure the girls and the NBBF that the NSC will ensure they get the best of preparations ahead of the World cup in China. We will work closely with the NBBF to make sure the girls have an impactful campaign at the World cup”.
The Qualification of the Junior D’Tigress is the latest big feat of the country’s basketball on the global stage after the Qualification of the Senior Women Basketball team, D’Tigress for the FIBA Women’s World cup in Germany slated for September 2026.
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