Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, secured the 10th spot in the second volume of the FIBA Power Rankings for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers, as announced by the world basketball governing body on February 16, 2022. Despite a strong performance, including a notable victory over world number five France, the team dropped one place from their pre-tournament ranking of 9th among the 16 qualifying teams.
Performance in the Qualifiers
The qualifiers, held in Osaka, Belgrade, and Washington from February 10-13, 2022, saw D’Tigress compete in Belgrade against China, France, and Mali. After a 90-76 loss to China, Nigeria rebounded with a stunning 67-65 upset over France and a 73-69 victory against Mali, finishing second in their group with a 2-1 record. This performance earned them a spot in the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Australia, scheduled for September 22 to October 1, 2022.
The Power Rankings reflect team performances, results, and roster considerations. D’Tigress scored 216 points while conceding 224, resulting in a -8 point differential. Despite the one-spot drop, their qualification and victory over France underscored their competitiveness. Coach Otis Hughley Jr. emphasized the team’s growth, stating, “Our goal was to play better than we did against China, and it paid off with the win [against France].”
Key Achievements and Standout Players
The highlight of the qualifiers was D’Tigress’s victory over France, where Galatasaray’s Victoria Macaulay led with 19 points, improving on Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah’s 12 points against China. Nigeria’s shooting efficiency, with 51% on two-pointers and 35% on three-pointers, outpaced France’s 44% and 32%, respectively. This win showcased D’Tigress’s ability to compete with global powerhouses, reinforcing their status as Africa’s top team, despite being ranked 15th globally at the time.
Context and Significance
D’Tigress’s qualification marks their second consecutive World Cup appearance, following their historic quarterfinal run in 2018. As the only African team to reach the World Cup in 2022, alongside Mali, Nigeria continues to lead the continent in women’s basketball. The Power Rankings drop from 9th to 10th reflects the competitive nature of the qualifiers, with strong performances from teams like the USA, Belgium, and China influencing the standings.
The team’s journey in Belgrade was a testament to their resilience, overcoming a significant first-quarter deficit against France (28-11) to win the subsequent quarters and secure a narrow victory. Their ability to adapt and compete against top-tier teams positions them as a potential dark horse in Australia.
Looking Ahead
With qualification secured, D’Tigress, under Hughley’s leadership, aimed to build on their momentum at the World Cup in Sydney. The team’s performance in the qualifiers, particularly the upset over France, boosted morale and highlighted their potential to challenge for higher honors. As Nigeria’s flagbearers in women’s basketball, D’Tigress’s focus shifted to preparation for the global stage, where they hoped to replicate or surpass their 2018 achievements.
