Ahead of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket tournament scheduled to tip off in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, this weekend, the Nigeria Basketball Federation have released the final roster for the senior women’s national team, D’Tigress, prior to the team’s arrival in the commercial city on Wednesday as they prepare to defend their title, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Head coach Rena Wakama, who will be taking charge of the team in only her second women’s Afrobasket tournament, having emerged champion in her maiden appearance in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2023, has named eight members from that title-winning side in the present squad for the 2025 edition, having decided to settle for experienced, tested and trusted hands.
Leading the squad is four-time AfroBasket champion Sarah Ogoke, who is making a return to the national team set-up after nearly a year out due to personal reasons. Also, Most Valuable Player in the 2023 edition, Amy Okonkwo, is in the squad and will be expected to fire the team to victory when the biennial showpiece comes to a conclusion on August 3.
Meanwhile, familiar faces and multiple Afrobasket winners in Nicole Enabosi, the ever-dependable Murjanatu Musa, and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpannah are also listed in the 12-player squad, while there are slots for one-time winners Elizabeth Balogun, Blessing Ejiofor, and Ifunaya Okoro.
There will be a sense of nostalgia in the team as coach Wakama has recalled 2019 and 2021 AfroBasket champion Victoria Macaulay back into the fold, following a few years away. Veterans including Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara, who both missed the 2023 edition in Rwanda but represented the country at the Paris summer Olympic Games in France last year, have also been included in the side.
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Finally, there is a slot for the unknown Vera Ojenuwa, who is getting a look-in by coach Wakama and will be representing the country at a major tournament for the first time. The 6ft 4in forward, is currently in her Sophomore season with the Arkansas Razorbacks, where she plays as a forward and averaged 6.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game.
Following the announcement of the squad list for the competition, the team flew out of the capital city of Abuja and touched down in Abidjan on Wednesday afternoon, just three days before the start of the event.
Also, the National Sports Commission through its Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade, revealed welfare incentives and packages for the coach Wakama-led side.
Nigeria will be looking to retain her title once again on the continental stage, having claimed the last four editions in a row from 2017 to 2023. In total, D’Tigress have won six AfroBasket crowns beginning from the 2003 event in Mozambique, before winning the 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023 editions.
