Nigeria’s main player in the role of centre with the female basketball national team, Victoria Macaulay has revealed that ‘pressing forth, digging deep and defensive stats’ are the major assets that helped the side reach their fifth straight AfroBasket final.
Sports247 reports that D’Tigress pulled off a stunning come from behind 75-68 victory over Senegal late Saturday to book a spot in the 2025 African Women’s Senior Basketball Championship final in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
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Speaking ahead of the big match on Sunday versus another one of their old rivals, Mali, at Palais des Sports de Treichville, Macaulay disclosed that all players in Coach Rena Wakama’s D’Tigress squad play together from start to finish as a tight unit.
The former Nice of France, Olympiakos of Greece, Chicago Sky of USA and Galatasaray of Turkey star disclosed: “Our game is built on pressing forth and defensively picking up stats.
“We dig deep and we trust one another. We gather as one, working together to get the result.”
She then expressed delight that D’Tigress were able to overcome the threat from Senegal and pick a ticket into the final for another clash with Mali.
“We thank God for that, and thanks to my girls for their efforts. Giving our all and playing together helped us win each game,” said Macaulay, who will be 35 years old on Thursday.
Sports247 gathered that, ahead of Sunday’s final, Mali and Nigeria held three victories apiece over each other.
The Malians won the 2011 semi-final 71-62 at home in Bamako, then defeated the Nigerians twice (77-45 and 57-50) at AfroBasket 2013 in Maputo, Mozambique.
The table, however, turned when Mali hosted again in 2017, as Nigeria beat them 48-47, after which they also won 79-58 at AfroBasket 2019 in Dakar, Senegal and when Cameroon hosted the championship in 2021
