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Tag: FIBA

  • Women’s Afrobasket: Nigeria beat Mozambique to qualify for quarter-finals

    Women’s Afrobasket: Nigeria beat Mozambique to qualify for quarter-finals

    Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, sealed a 60-55 victory over Mozambique in their final Group D game of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan.

    The win at the Palais des Sports de Treichville on Monday secured D’Tigress a direct ticket to the quarter-finals as Group D winners, having won both group matches.

    After a challenging first half, the reigning champions showed their quality and composure as they bounced back in the second half to seal victory.

    Star guard Ezinne Kalu, the 2019 MVP, was instrumental once again, leading all scorers with 16 points and five steals, while helping Nigeria to avoid a potential upset.

    D’Tigress will now prepare for the quarter-finals as they continue their quest for a fourth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket title.

    The team had earlier defeated Rwanda on Saturday.

  • FIBA U19: Nigeria lose to Hungary

    FIBA U19: Nigeria lose to Hungary

    Hungary basketball team on Wednesday defeated Junior D’Tigress, 77-51 to send Nigeria packing from the ongoing FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Czechia.

    NAN reports that the Nigerian girls were completely overwhelmed by their opponents as they struggled throughout the encounter.

    They started on a good note recording a 9-9 scoreline in the first quarter of the game but fell apart in the second quarter losing, 12-30.

    The team fought back in the third quarter but could only make 15-16 points which was not good enough to pressure the European team.

    Hungary took the 4th quarter more seriously and recorded a 16-15 points to keep their lead and eventually coasted home to victory.

    Hungary’s Kinga Jisepovits led the floor for her team with 19 points, while her teammate Eliza Farbas recorded 13 rebounds.

    Nigeria’s Tobenna Nweke led the floor with 12 points as Francis Chukwu recorded 9 rebounds to their credit.

    The Nigerian girls crashed out of the competition but became the first African team to win a match in the history of the competition and also play in the round of 16.

  • D’Tigress: Paris Games’ showing helps Nigeria to 8th in FIBA rankings

    D’Tigress: Paris Games’ showing helps Nigeria to 8th in FIBA rankings

    Nigeria has jumped four places in the latest edition of the FIBA World Ranking Women, moving into the top 10 of the rankings and into eighth place.

    Nigeria, represented by D’Tigress, the senior national women basketball team, had entered the history books few weeks ago at the Paris Olympic Games.

    D’Tigress had secured two wins from three games for the first time to become the first African side (either male or female) to compete in the quarter-finals at the Olympics.

    They have now made history again as the first African national team in the history of the FIBA World Ranking (men or women) to be ranked in the top 10.

    D’Tigress found early momentum for their historic accomplishments on their opening day in Lille by winning 75-62 against Australia who went on to recover to win the Games’ bronze medal.

    Australia have now moved up to second place in the rankings, after beating Belgium 85-81 in Paris.

    Even though D’Tigress lost 54-75 in their second game to hosts France in Lille, they surged back to beat Canada 79-70 and qualify for the quarter-finals from Group B.

    They went on to lose 74-88 to the U.S. in the quarter-final game played in Paris, with the Americans running on all the way to stay undefeated and win the competition.

    While leaders U.S. proudly retain top spot after taking the Olympics gold medal, several other nations have secured rises off the back of their great work at the showpiece event.

    In a truly absorbing and memorable competition that was played out in front of record-breaking crowds, the U.S. secured a stunning 10th title and their eighth in a row.

    That is what has helped them remain top of the rankings with 883.3 points.

    France leapt four places and into third spot after their captivating run to the final match of the Olympics.

    Roared on by the passionate home fans, they only lost by a point (66-67) to the U.S. for a silver medal to equal their best-ever result at the Games.

    Germany also made history and rolled into the quarter-finals on their Olympic debut, having secured two Group Phase wins.

    As a result of this, they have rocketed up eight places and into 13th place in the rankings.

    Another accomplishment came from Serbia, who were also quarter-finalists at Paris 2024, thereby improving their standing in the rankings with an upwards move from 10th to 9th place.

    There were also movers from those teams who were successful at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournaments in Mexico and Rwanda.

    As well as grabbing a ticket for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifiers after winning the competition in Mexico City, Czechia are now 21st after climbing two places.

    Also, Hungary won the competition in Kigali and they move up one place to 15th in the rankings.

    There was also some consolation for host nation Rwanda, who accomplished the biggest jump in the Top 100 for their efforts in the Pre-Qualifying Tournament.

    They moved 12 places into 62nd place.

    South Korea, who reached the final in Mexico, have won almost four points but could not move up because of Germany’s impressive rise at the same time.

    NAN reports that FIBA is the world governing body for basketball, and it is an independent association formed by 212 National Basketball Federations throughout the world.

    It is recognised as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

  • D’Tigers slump in recent FIBA rankings

    D’Tigers slump in recent FIBA rankings

    Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team D’ Tigers has dropped four places in the latest FIBA ranking released on Friday.

    D’Tigers slumped from 39th to 42nd position in the world ranking.

    The former African champions tallied 299.7 points during the month under review to occupy sixth position on the continent.

    South Sudan hopped from 34th to 23rd in the FIBA World Ranking to become the top-ranked African team, overtaking Cote d’Ivoire.

    Angola, Tunisia, and Egypt complete the top five teams in Africa.

    Olympic champions U.S. protected their lead at the top, while Serbia jumped up two spots to get to the second spot with a total of 758.9 points, overtaking Germany.

    Meanwhile, basketball enthusiasts have called for urgent action for the team to get back to reckoning and get back to position in the world ranking.

    Femi Olatubosun, a fan, said that D`Tigers had completely fallen out of contention and were not the competitive team that we knew them to be a few years back.

    “Sadly, D’Tigers has continued to drop in the scheme of things, this is due to lack of competition and absence from major championships.

    “I urge the federation to look critically at this and organise some friendly games for the team before the qualifiers for the Africa Cup begin,”he said.

    Anthony Bernard told NAN that the federation has suddenly neglected the team who was a powerhouse of African basketball.

    “D’Tigers have dropped in the world rankings because there is neglect from the federation, the team needs to get back and challenge for titles.

    “The federation should organise friendly matches so that they can gather enough points and regain their top spot in Africa and in the world,” he said.

    D’Tigers last occupied the top African team before 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and remain the only African team to beat the U.S. national team.

  • Col. Samuel Ahmedu appointed in the Executive Committee of FIBA Africa

    Col. Samuel Ahmedu appointed in the Executive Committee of FIBA Africa

    Renowned sports administrator and a member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu has been appointed into the highest office is the slamming and dunking game on the continent, FIBA Africa Executive Committee.
    Ahmedu who was re-elected as the President of FIBA Africa Zone 3 and Member of FIBA Africa Central Board for the 2023–2027 term of office in June last year Maputo, Mozambique was appointed at the FIBA Africa Central Board Extra Ordinary Meeting which took place on the Sidelines of BAL Season 4 in Kigali.
    Ahmedu who turns 66 years next month is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear at the continental level.
    Over the years, Retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu has demonstrated that his love for the basketball is beyond ordinary through his contribution and various programs as well as projects his initiated.
    He is celebrated as the brain behind a number of basketball programs in the Nigeria that includes the annual Milo Secondary Schools Championship.
    Dodan Warriors and the Amazons are just some of the legacies of the retired military officer whose entrance in the the basketball family in Nigeria is as old as the game in the country.
  • Nigeria’s D’Tigress move up seven places in FIBA rankings

    Nigeria’s D’Tigress move up seven places in FIBA rankings

    Nigeria’s D’Tigress has moved up seven places in the latest International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Rankings for women.

    The rankings for the month of September were released by FIBA on Wednesday night.

    The Nigeria’s women’s basketball team’s rise was as a result of their impressive performance at the 2023 AfroBasket Championship.

    Rena Wakama’s side secured their fourth consecutive title at the competition.

    According to the ranking, D’Tigress rose from 18th to 11th place with 528.9 points.

    Mali and Senegal are the other African teams in the top 20.

    Recall that the team won its fourth straight title at the 2023 Women’s Afrobasketball Championship held in Rwanda.

    The impressive performance of Nigeria’s D’Tigress at the 2023 Women’s Afrobasketball Championship seems to have yielded a good result.

    The D’tigress are set to represent Africa at the Paris 2024 Olympic games.

  • U.S lose FIBA rankings’ top spot after 12 years

    U.S lose FIBA rankings’ top spot after 12 years

    U.S men’s basketball team have been knocked off the top of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) world rankings for the first time in over 12 years, with Spain taking over.

    Spain, who have enjoyed success in recent years including winning the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and FIBA EuroBasket 2022, lead the November 2022 table ahead of the U.S.

    “It’s not exactly a new title and it probably can’t be maintained for too long, but it’s something so unique, prestigious, and historic that I feel tremendously proud of everyone who … has contributed to it,” Spain coach Sergio Scariolo tweeted.

    Spain top the rankings with 758.6 points followed by the U.S. with 757.5 points. Australia are third on 740.3 points.

    The U.S. team had led the rankings since 2010.

    Nigeria’s D’Tigers remain 19th on the world rankings with 460.1 points, and number one among African teams.

  • Angola dent D’Tigers’ 2023 FIBA World Cup hopes

    Angola dent D’Tigers’ 2023 FIBA World Cup hopes

    Nigeria’s senior male national basketball team, D’Tigers, on Sunday in Abidjan suffered a 67-70 loss to Angola in a 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifier.

    Tthe match played at the Palais des Sports Treichville saw D’Tigers having a sluggish start to the game.

    The Nigerian team lost the first quarter 16-18 but bounced back to take the second quarter 13-9.

    The Angolans came out stronger in the third quarter with some neat steals and fast breaks to end the quarter 23-16.

    The less clinical D’Tigers fought back to take the fourth quarter 22-20, but the Angolans held on for a 70-67 win.

    D’Tigers had started their campaign in the fourth window of the qualification series in Abidjan with a loss to hosts Côte d’Ivoire.

    They bounced back with a convincing 89-70 blowout win against Guinea, to set up an anticipated final tense game with perennial foes Angola.

    The qualifiers which started in November 2021 will end in February 2023 with the last window.

    D’Tigers are vying to pick one of the five slots for African teams at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

    The 2023 FIBA World Cup scheduled for Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines will hold from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10.

    NAN

  • D’Tigers lose to Cape Verde, blame it on high turnover

    D’Tigers lose to Cape Verde, blame it on high turnover

    D’Tigers stand-in head coach, Alan Major, says the team must take care of the ball when they face Mali in their next game on Saturday.

    The Nigerian senior male national basketball team lost 70-79 points to Cape Verde on Friday at the on-going 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers

    The coach noted that the team’s turnover ratio and rebound efforts were responsible for the team’s loss, even though he gave credit to the team for their resilience and hard work.

    “They (Cape Verde) had 16 points from our turnovers, 11 second-chance points from 16 offensive rebounds.

    “These are some things we can clean up, but I do like the effort,” he said.

    Major, while acknowledging that D’Tigers fought back and had the lead at some point, also congratulated Cape Verde for their efforts.

    “They played well. They got a cushion on us at half-time.”

    But he did express that his players did a great job by fighting back to take the lead towards the end of the match. “In a game like this, you do not have much margin for error.”

    He said the team got scared towards the end of the game and rushed their game in a quest to restore their lead, giving their opponents the winning edge.

    “We just have to go back, watch some films, clean up some things and be ready to play tomorrow (Saturday).”

    D’Tigers, after winning the first quarter 15-14 points, lost the lead to Cape Verde in the second quarter after losing 11-25 to head into half-time with a 26-39 scoreline.

    Ikenna Ndugba and Christian Mekowulu led the scoring for D’Tigers and Uchenna Iroegbu contributed 12 points.

    Mekowulu picked 13 rebounds while Benjamin Emelogu had four.

    Chimezie Metu posted a double-double performance with 10 points and 10 rebounds, saying later that the team wanted a win but lost to a more prepared team.

    “We wanted to go out there and try to win the game. We did that for stretches of the game but Cape Verde played together. They have been together and had practised more than we have.”

    He expressed the belief that his team has what it takes to win their next two games and finish the first round strongly.

    D’Tigers now have seven points from four matches and will face Mali on Saturday.

    NAN

  • 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup: D’Tigress accuse “leaders” of corruption, greed as Fiba threatens more sanctions

    Nigeria’s women basketball team D’Tigress, have again expressed their displeasure over the ban placed on the sport by the Nigerian government, which they say is as a result of corruption and greed on the part of certain “leaders”.

    This is coming after the sport’s world governing body, Fiba, invited Mali to replace Nigeria at the 2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup set to be played in Australia in September and October, following Nigeria’s decision to withdraw from international basketball for two years.

    Mali is the next best-ranked team from Group B of February’s qualifying tournament held in Serbia.

    “We are saddened by the forced withdrawal of @DtigressNG from the World Cup. We hope someday Nigeria will be led by a government without corruption and greed. The future of Nigeria basketball is extremely bright and we are being held back by our leaders,” the team stated via twitter.

    It also noted that the success of Nigeria as “the best basketball country in Africa” can be credited to “players and staff who put their blood, sweat, and tears into their work,” and not the Nigerian Government that placed the ban.

    Fiba said in a statement that Nigeria’s withdrawal was in breach of Article 9.7 of its General Statutes, which states: “National member federations shall manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties”.

    Article 10.2 of the FIBA Statutes added that on the initiative of the Secretary-General, FIBA Central Board may suspend a national member federation for the breach of Article 9.7.

    It further explained that the decision to replace Nigeria with Mali was “to ensure the successful staging of a major international event and to protect the integrity of the competition”.

    “It has become clear that given the circumstances created by the government’s decision, the NBBF is unable to confirm its participation in the Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.

    “FIBA will announce whether there will be any other decisions related to the NBBF’s participation in other FIBA competitions and any potential disciplinary measures in due course,” the statement concluded.

    The problems began in 2017 when the then-incumbent Musa Kida and Tijani Umar emerged as leaders of two factions claiming control of the NBBF after two separate elections.

    Issues have continued despite Kida being re-elected as NBBF president in January, a result which was ratified by Fiba in March.

    The Nigerian male basketball national team D’Tigers, have also condemned the ban placed on the sport by the Federal Government.