By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, to begin their FIBA Women’s World Cup campaign on a winning note against South Korea in Berlin on Friday.
The African champions will face their Asian opponents with revenge in mind after losing to South Korea at the World Cup Qualification Tournament in France earlier this year.
However, the Nigerian team is said to be in high spirits following a solid training camp and extensive preparations under head coach Rena Wakama ahead of the tournament.
Speaking on the team’s prospects, the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, described D’Tigress as a “proper tournament team” capable of raising their performance when it matters most.
Olopade said he was optimistic about how far the team could go at the World Cup, while commending the players for consistently representing Nigeria positively on the global stage through their conduct, discipline and patriotism.
“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,” he said.
The NSC boss also called on Nigerians to rally behind the team throughout the competition.
“I want every Nigerian to rally round the team and put them in their prayers because they definitely need all our support to have a good campaign at the World Cup,” Olopade added.
Friday’s encounter will be the fourth meeting between D’Tigress and South Korea, with Nigeria holding the advantage in their head-to-head record with two victories against one defeat.
D’Tigress are drawn in Group B alongside South Korea, Hungary and European powerhouse France.
Under the tournament format, 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 secure a place in the last eight.
The NSC urged Nigerians to continue supporting the African champions as they seek to make a strong impression at the global tournament.
