The Nigerian women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has climbed to eighth place in the latest FIBA world rankings, released on Thursday.
This leap of four places in the rankings moves the team into the top 10 globally, a first for any African team, men or women.
The rise comes following an impressive performance by the six-time AfroBasket champions at the Paris Olympics.
Recall that the D’Tigress defeated Australia, securing their first Olympic victory in 20 years. Although they lost to France, the team bounced back, winning Canada to become the first African side to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympic basketball event.
However, their run was eventually halted by the United States in the quarter-finals.