Rena Wakama, head coach of Nigeria’s female basketball national team, D’Tigress, has unveiled her squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The team will be captained by forward Amy Okonkwo, whose stellar performance at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2023 earned her the MVP title. Okonkwo was also a key player for Nigeria during the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The return of Ezinne Kalu is expected to significantly strengthen D’Tigress’ backcourt. Kalu, with her extensive experience from major events like the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2018, will take on a leadership role in the absence of team captain Sarah Ogoke.
Joining Kalu and Okonkwo, the 12-woman squad for the 2024 Olympics includes Elizabeth Balogun, Promise Amukamara, Lauren Ebo, Nicole Enabosi, Murjanatu Musa, Ifunaya Okoro, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpannah, Blessing Ejiofor, Olaoluwatomi Taiwo, and Adebola Adeyeye.
Notably missing from the squad are Adenike Olawuyi, Alimat Abiola, and Sarah Ogoke, who contributed to previous successes in Rwanda but did not make the final roster.
The team has been rigorously preparing for the Olympics, participating in warm-up games in Germany and Serbia. They are set to face Japan in a friendly match in Lille, France, today, July 24, as their final test before the Paris Olympic Games.
D’Tigress will kick off their Olympic campaign against Australia on July 29, followed by matches against France on August 1 and Canada on August 4.