Olufunke Oshonaike, a renowned Nigerian table tennis icon and a record seven-time Olympian, expressed her admiration for the performance of D’Tigress, the Nigerian women’s basketball team, in a pre-Olympic warm-up match against Germany in Berlin. Despite the team’s 77-63 loss to the Europeans at the UBER Arena, Oshonaike commended the players for their impressive display and highlighted their unity, teamwork, and love for one another as exemplary attributes that make them outstanding ambassadors for Nigeria.
In an Instagram post shared on Saturday, Oshonaike, who traveled from her base in Hamburg to support the team, expressed her pride and support for the D’Tigress as they prepare for the Olympic Games in Paris. Her enthusiastic endorsement of the team’s effort underscores the significance of camaraderie and sportsmanship in international competitions.
D’Tigress, the African champions and currently ranked 12th globally by FIBA, face a formidable challenge in the Group of the Olympics women’s basketball tournament, competing against strong opponents such as Canada, Australia, and France. The team is set to commence its campaign on July 29 against Australia, ranked third in the world, with Canada at fifth place and France at seventh, positioning them as formidable adversaries.
As D’Tigress prepares for their second consecutive appearance at the Olympic Games after their participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the team aims to secure their first-ever win in the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament. Having debuted at the 2004 edition in Athens, where they faced a challenging start by losing all five games and conceding over 400 points, the team has shown resilience and determination in subsequent competitions.
Despite facing defeats in Tokyo 2020, including a loss to France in their first game, D’Tigress left a lasting impression with their performances, igniting hope for a promising future. The team’s participation in global tournaments has contributed to the growth and development of women’s basketball in Nigeria and has inspired young athletes to pursue excellence in the sport.
As D’Tigress embarks on their Olympic journey, the unwavering support from sports icons like Olufunke Oshonaike serves as a source of motivation and pride for the team. Their determination, coupled with the support of the Nigerian community, demonstrates the resilience and spirit of unity that continues to drive Nigerian sports to greater heights on the global stage.
