Nigeria (NGR)'s senior women's national team - Zone III Qualifier for AfroBasket Women 2015
ABUJA (AfroBasket Women 2015) - In the lead-up to AfroBasket Women 2015, we take a closer look at all 12 participating teams competing in the championship running from 24 September-3 October in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Team: Nigeria
FIBA Women Ranking: 46th
Last participation at AfroBasket Women: 2013 (3 wins, 5 losses; 6th place)
Best results in the history of AfroBasket Women: Champions 2003 and 2005
Qualified for AfroBasket Women 2015: Winner of FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifier.
ABUJA (AfroBasket Women 2015) - In the lead-up to AfroBasket Women 2015, we take a closer look at all 12 participating teams competing in the championship running from 24 September-3 October in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Team: Nigeria
FIBA Women Ranking: 46th
Last participation at AfroBasket Women: 2013 (3 wins, 5 losses; 6th place)
Best results in the history of AfroBasket Women: Champions 2003 and 2005
Qualified for AfroBasket Women 2015: Winner of FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifier.
History/Qualification: Along with Senegal and Angola, Nigeria are the third nation to win back-to-back championships.
After finishing third at AfroBasket Women 1997 in Nairobi, Kenya, Nigeria clinched their first-ever tournament title in 2003 in Maputo, Mozambique.
Two years later, the "D'Tigress" repeated their success as they beat Senegal 64 -57 in the 2015 AfroBasket Women Final in their capital city of Abuja.
The two consecutive African titles were enough to put Nigeria on the international basketball scene.
They made their Olympic debut the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Two years later they featured at FIBA World Championship for Women in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
But since then, Nigeria have failed to reach the podium of Africa biggest Women basketball tournament.
The new generation of players is yet to follow the foot steps of former Africa champions Mfon Udoka, and Makbule Mactabene.
Two years ago in Maputo, Mozambique, the “D'Tigress" finished at a disappointing sixth-place following a painful 77 -74 Quarter-Finals loss against the host nation.
In this year's AfroBasket Women, Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside Angola, Guinea, Egypt, Algeria and Senegal.
Key players: Sarah Ogoke, who will be making her third consecutive appearance in the tournament, should play a key role in head coach Scott Nnaji’s team, considering her experience in international stage.
Along with Ndidi Madu and Joyce Ekworomadu, Ogoke will be one of the team leaders in their attempt to win the continental crown for the second time since 2005.
Rising Star: Adaora Elonu will make her debut with Nigeria at AfroBasket Women and she could be a great asset for team.
The 25-year- old forward, who plys her trade with Spanish side Club Baloncesto Conquero in Liga Femenina de Baloncesto had a pivotal role in Nigeria’s two-leg FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifier last June as she averaged 11.5 points and 5 rebounds per game.
Outlook: Seen as one of the serious title contenders in this year’s event, Nigeria’s new generation of players including Atosu Upe, Nkechi Akashili target to win it all and secure qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Possible Outcome: Reaching the podium would not be a surprise.
After finishing third at AfroBasket Women 1997 in Nairobi, Kenya, Nigeria clinched their first-ever tournament title in 2003 in Maputo, Mozambique.
Two years later, the "D'Tigress" repeated their success as they beat Senegal 64 -57 in the 2015 AfroBasket Women Final in their capital city of Abuja.
The two consecutive African titles were enough to put Nigeria on the international basketball scene.
They made their Olympic debut the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Two years later they featured at FIBA World Championship for Women in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
But since then, Nigeria have failed to reach the podium of Africa biggest Women basketball tournament.
The new generation of players is yet to follow the foot steps of former Africa champions Mfon Udoka, and Makbule Mactabene.
Two years ago in Maputo, Mozambique, the “D'Tigress" finished at a disappointing sixth-place following a painful 77 -74 Quarter-Finals loss against the host nation.
In this year's AfroBasket Women, Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside Angola, Guinea, Egypt, Algeria and Senegal.
Key players: Sarah Ogoke, who will be making her third consecutive appearance in the tournament, should play a key role in head coach Scott Nnaji’s team, considering her experience in international stage.
Along with Ndidi Madu and Joyce Ekworomadu, Ogoke will be one of the team leaders in their attempt to win the continental crown for the second time since 2005.
Rising Star: Adaora Elonu will make her debut with Nigeria at AfroBasket Women and she could be a great asset for team.
The 25-year- old forward, who plys her trade with Spanish side Club Baloncesto Conquero in Liga Femenina de Baloncesto had a pivotal role in Nigeria’s two-leg FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifier last June as she averaged 11.5 points and 5 rebounds per game.
Outlook: Seen as one of the serious title contenders in this year’s event, Nigeria’s new generation of players including Atosu Upe, Nkechi Akashili target to win it all and secure qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Possible Outcome: Reaching the podium would not be a surprise.
By: FIBA.com
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