Their Victory Is Not Just About Basketball—It’s a Bold Statement to Every Girl Who Dares to Dream
In the heart of Kigali, Rwanda, under the bright lights of the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament, D’Tigress—Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team—did more than just win a trophy. They made history. Again. For the fifth consecutive time, they were crowned champions of Africa, a feat that is not only monumental in the world of sports but also a symbol of unshakable resilience, feminine strength, and national pride.
With every slam, every rebound, every roar from the court, D’Tigress sent a message louder than words:
“We are not here to ask for space. We are here because we’ve earned it.”
Led by Coach Rena Wakama, the first female coach to ever win the AfroBasket championship, this victory was layered with meaning. It wasn’t just about medals and statistics—it was about rewriting narratives. It was about proving, once again, that women are not second-class in sports, in leadership, or in nation-building.
In a post on X, the 2023 Presidential candidate of Labour Party, H.E Peter Obi extolled the team’s resilience, calling the victory a true reflection of Nigerian excellence.“Congratulations D’Tigress, you did it. You played like true queens of the court, fearless, fast, and unstoppable. “Again, you’ve made Nigeria proud, you’ve made Africa proud, and you’ve made history by being the AfroBasket champions 5 times in a row… Coach Wakama, thank you for your leadership, strategy, and belief in this team. You guided them like a true champion maker. Congratulations Queens @DtigressNG, you are indomitable,” Obi wrote.
Perhaps to us at THE PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE they have made every young girl watching believe again.
A Challenge to the Nation
This victory comes at a time when many young Nigerian girls are told to shrink, to stay silent, or settle—when women are often sidelined in politics, underrepresented in leadership, and looked down upon in male-dominated fields.
To the men who still believe women don’t belong in powerful spaces, D’Tigress is your proof that we do. To the politicians who hoard influence and opportunity, excluding women from decision-making, this team is your reminder: Nigeria’s future is not male-only and to every girl who has ever been told she’s “too much” or “not enough,” this victory is yours.
More Than Champions—They Are Symbols
D’Tigress isn’t just a basketball team, they are symbols of becoming against all odds, they are proof that talent, discipline, and courage have no gender., they are dreams dressed in jerseys, fighting for every girl who was ever underestimated.
Their five-time championship is not just a national triumph—it’s a global story of what happens when women are given the room to rise. So, to the next generation watching from home, from classrooms, from dusty basketball courts with no sponsors or shoes— Don’t give up. Don’t let society shrink your worth. Show up. Train hard. Be loud. Be proud. And never apologize for your greatness, because if D’Tigress can defy the odds, so can you.
