One of the veteran female basketball players that were on Wednesday selected in a 12-woman D’Tigress squad for Nigeria’s assault on this year’s African championship, Ezinne Kalu has promised that every member of the team will come out roaring in each game.
Sports247 reports that, as the competition begins this Saturday at Palais des Sports de Trechville in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, D’Tigress’ coach, Rena Wakama haa named Kalu among those that will aim to clinch a fifth straight title for Nigeria.
Aside from seeking five conquests on the bounce for Nigeria, of which Kalu was part of the last three – 2019, 2021 and 2023 – D’Tigress will also aim to take their total haul to six titles overall, which would be five behind eternal log leaders, Senegal (11).
In order to achieve a precious part of history in Abidjan, the 33-year-old Kalu, who now plays for Zhejiang Golden Bulls of China, disclosed that all the Nigerian players gave extra bolts of effort during their preparations towards the competition.
Kalu revealed, “We’re checking all appropriate zones in order to be ready for the competition. For every game, we’re going to come out with a roar.
“We’ll apply our potential to win the championship, and I’m confident, very confident, that we can win it; but we know it’s not going to be easy.”
The veteran forward, who emerged as the most valuable player at AfroBasket 2019 and featured for nine different clubs before moving to her current base in China, concluded by admitting that all other countries at AfroBasket 2025 will also storm the venue with their best available players and hold strong ambitions of winning the title, hence the need for D’Tigress to stay on their toes all through.
“Other teams also have good players and ambitions. So, it’s not going to be easy; but, we’re going to be fighting to win every game,” assured Kalu, who was born in Newark, New Jersey, USA.
