NSC backs D’Tigress for World Cup opener against South Korea

By Tosin Omojola 

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s D’Tigress as they begin their FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign against South Korea in Berlin later today.

The African champions will be hoping to start their campaign on a winning note when they face their Asian opponents, with revenge on their minds after losing to the same team at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France earlier this year.

The Nigerian team is in high spirits in Berlin under head coach Rena Wakama, having enjoyed a solid training camp and thorough preparations ahead of the World Cup.

According to the Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, D’Tigress are a proper tournament team that knows how to raise their game when it matters most.

Olopade said he was not only optimistic about how far the team would go at the World Cup but also proud of how the players have consistently represented Nigeria positively on the global stage through their conduct, discipline and patriotism.

He described the players as true ambassadors of the country, adding “I have no doubt that our girls will leave everything on the court in every game, starting with today’s match against the Koreans. That is one thing you cannot take away from the D’Tigress and their coaching staff. I want every Nigerian to rally around the team and keep them in their prayers because they definitely need all our support to have a good campaign at the World Cup.”

Today’s game will mark the fourth meeting between D’Tigress and South Korea, with Nigeria leading the head-to-head record with two wins and one defeat.

D’Tigress are in Group B alongside South Korea, Hungary and European giants France.

The team that finishes top of each group will advance directly to the quarter-finals, while the second- and third-placed teams will have to win a qualification game to reach the last eight.