By Gabriel Ameh
The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Musa Kida, has commended the performance of Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, following the conclusion of their preparatory tour of the United States.
D’Tigress wrapped up the tour with a 105–57 defeat to WNBA side Indiana Fever. Earlier, they lost 89–63 to Los Angeles Sparks and showed notable improvement in a closely contested 88–79 loss to Minnesota Lynx.
Despite the results, Kida described the tour as a strategic and valuable experience aimed at preparing the team for upcoming global competitions, including the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
According to him, the primary objective of the tour was not immediate victories but exposure to high-level competition, particularly for younger and emerging players.
“The WNBA Tour offered our players the chance to test themselves against top opposition. The goal was to provide exposure and prepare them for the intensity of world-class tournaments.
It was a worthwhile experience and a necessary step in building the future of the team,” Kida said.
The squad featured 21 players, largely made up of new talents, with only seven members from the team that won the 2025 AfroBasket championship.
Kida emphasized that the federation’s long-term vision prioritizes player development and team growth over short-term results.
“Our focus is firmly on the future. While some may concentrate on wins and losses, we are investing in the development of the next generation of players.
This tour was about growth, exposure, and building a stronger team for years to come,” he adde
