AfroBasket: D’Tigress Captain Okonkwo Backs Team to Defend Title in Ivory Coast

Team captain Amy Okonkwo believes D’Tigress are well equipped to retain their crown at the upcoming 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament, which begins on Saturday, July 26, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team heads into the tournament as the dominant force on the continent, having won the last four editions and six titles overall, their most recent triumph coming in 2023, which was coach Rena Wakama’s debut campaign.

Speaking after the team’s first training session in Abuja, Okonkwo, who was named MVP at the last tournament, highlighted the positive energy in camp and the squad’s determination to extend their winning run.

“We’re excited to be back together. The energy is great and we’ve got some new faces bringing fresh intensity,” said the power forward. “Our focus right now is on maximizing the short time we have to build team chemistry and sharpen both our offence and defence.”

Looking ahead to the challenge in Ivory Coast, Okonkwo acknowledged the competition but remained upbeat about Nigeria’s prospects.

“I have a lot of belief in this group. But we know nothing comes easy we need to work hard, stay focused, and play as a unit. Anything can happen at this level, so we have to be mentally and physically ready for every game.”

Okonkwo played a crucial role in Nigeria’s 2023 triumph in Kigali, Rwanda, where D’Tigress claimed their fourth straight AfroBasket title and sixth overall.

Drawn in Group D, Nigeria will begin their title defence against Rwanda before facing Mozambique in the group stage.