Nigeria national female basketball team, D’Tigress, will on Friday tackle the United States in the quarter-final of the ongoing FIBA World Cup in Spain.
The Nigerian ladies racked up an impressive victory over Greece to become the first African side to reach this stage of the competition.
With the eyes of the world now on Otis Hughley’s side, we reveal four unknown facts about the team.
1 – Ranked 34th in the world
Nigeria may be in the last eight of the biggest showpiece, but they are 33 nations ranked above them in the latest FIBA ranking. Friday foes, USA, are the top-rated side, followed by Spain and France.
2 – Best in Africa
Even though they are 34th globally, D’Tigress are the top-ranked team on the continent. They are equally the reigning FIBA African champions.
3 – Coached by an American
The D’Tigress is managed by Otis Hughley, an American who replaced compatriot Sam Vincent in August. He was coach of the Chinese Taipei national team to the last four of the FIBA Asia Women’s Championship 2015, where they lost to Korea in the Third-Place game.
4 – Evelyn Akhator, the super lady
Akhator has been Otis’ most-trusted player so far in Tenerife. A nominee for the tournament’s best player, Akhator has racked up the most points and rebounds than any other member of the Nigerian squad.
