as NSC charges team to stay focused to achieve mission five in a row

Defending Champions Nigeria D'Tigress fought back from a first quarter setback to beat Mozambique in its second game to book their place in the quarter finals of the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket championship in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on Monday.

The African champions lost the first quarter 13-9 points and tied the second quarter final 15-15 points before dominating the third and forth quarter to secure the tough win 60-55 points.

The match was reminiscent of the quarter final game between both countries at the last tournament in 2023, where Nigeria won 59-52 points, after losing the first and second quarters.

The Nigerian girls took time to get into their rhythm against a very determined and aggressive Mozambican team who were hoping to get one past D'Tigresses in their last seven meetings, dating back to 2013.

Director General of the National Sports commission, NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has however charged the girls to stay focused as they approach the business end of the competition, reminding them that Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is determined to reward them handsomely if they defend their African Title for the fifth time in a row.

" We are very happy and lucky that we have a sports passionate president in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who knows how to reward excellence and his gestures towards the Victorious Super falcons is a perfect example. Nigerian sports has never had it this good and we are already seeing the positive results in every aspect of our Sports".

" This is why I want to urge our Elegant D'Tigress in Cote d'Ivoire to stay dedicated and disciplined especially now that they have booked their place in the Knockout stage.It is mission five in a row in Abidjan and the entire country is right behind them to come back home and present the Afrobasket trophy to Mr President, just like the Super falcons have done".

The win over Mozambique has further stretched the unbeaten record of the Nigerian ladies at the Afrobasket to 26 straight wins since October 2015 and have moved another step closer to achieving a fifth straight AfroBasket title.

Kola Daniel,

S.A Media,

Office of the Director General, NSC.

July 28th 2025.