Captain of Nigeria’s D’Tigress, Amy Okonkwo, says the team’s historic FIBA Women’s AfroBasket victory will inspire young girls in Nigeria and across the globe to embrace basketball.
Speaking at a reception held in their honour by President Bola Tinubu at the State House on Monday, Okonkwo expressed her gratitude for the recognition following their fifth consecutive and seventh overall AfroBasket title win in Côte d’Ivoire.
“We’re thankful to be able to continue our excellence in our sport, the gift that God gave us. It means the world to us to be hosted here today,” said Okonkwo, who was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
“This victory will inspire young women and young girls around the world that they can one day be in our shoes,” she added.
D’Tigress defeated Mali 78–64 in the final to extend their AfroBasket winning streak to 29 games since 2015, and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin.
Okonkwo praised the team’s support system, thanking the coaching staff, medical team, and administrators, including the NBBF and the National Sports Commission, for their role in the team’s success.
“With this victory, I don’t think the sky is our limit. I think we can go beyond, and we can break barriers,” she said.
Representing President Tinubu at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima announced that each player would receive $100,000, a flat, and the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
