D’Tigress emerge highest climbers in latest FIBA ranking

D’Tigress have moved up 15 places in the latest FIBA Women’s ranking to 19th spot in the world after their 2018 World Cup heroics.At the last world cup, Nigeria became the first African team to win more than 1 game in a single World Cup tournament, and also advance to the quarterfinals of the competition.

Ranked the lowest at 34th before the 2018 FIBA World Cup in Spain, D’Tigress have now emerged as the 2nd best team in Africa, replacing Angola.The Coach Otis Hughley tutored side recorded three wins in a row, defeating Turkey, Argentina and Greece, before losing to World number 1, USA, in the quarterfinal.

Reacting to the latest ranking, NBBF President, Musa Kida, expressed delight in the hardwork of the federation, which saw a better prepared and motivated D’Tigress take on the world in a stunning fashion, and has finally been recognized.

According to him, with the recent feat of the team in 2017 when they emerged as African Champions before shocking the world at the 2018 FIBA World Cup, it was just a matter of time before it took its pride of place.“What a way to start October for us as a team, federation and lovers of basketball. It was just a matter of time before this happened because the consistency of this team has been so amazing.”

Kida said although the federation is still not satisfied with where the team is, they will savour the new found status while it lasts, as the NBBF would continue to work assiduously to ensure future success.“Now, we have to double our efforts because it will no longer be business as usual. More recognitions bring stiffer oppositions because we are gradually becoming a team to beat.”

“Before now, the team was an unknown quantity, but with what they have achieved in the last 1 year, future opponents will pay more attention to them.”World Cup winners, United States of America retain its number 1 spot, while Spain, Australia and France occupy the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place respectively.Senegal, who lost their quarterfinal playoff to Spain retained their 17th spot on the global ranking, while Angola dropped two places to 20.Mozambique also moved two steps backwards occupying 27th spot, as Mali dropped 16 places to 40th.