Ochuko Owolabi, head coach of the MFM Women’s Basketball Team, has emphasized the urgent need for early preparation ahead of the Junior D’Tigress’ debut at the 2025 FIBA U-19 Women’s World Cup in Czechia from July 12 to 20.
Calls for Two Months of Intense Training
Owolabi stated that at least two months of training is essential to boost the team’s chances in the competition, warning that delayed preparations could hurt their performance.
“Call players that deserve to be in camp. When I say deserve, call players that are supposed to be there. Then, enough preparation.”
Nigeria U18 Basketball WNT Players celebrate with their Coaches after their semi-final victory at the FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket.
She expressed concern over Nigeria’s habit of late preparation and insisted that proper training must begin well in advance.
“If it’s going to be played in June or July, at least, the least time we should prepare, at least, nothing less than two months.”
“Preparation in camp, training. It’s not this last two weeks, three weeks training before.”
Nigeria Must Rely on Teamwork, Not Just Individual Talent
Nigeria J’Tigress Guard, Idubamo Beggi. Photo | FIBA
Owolabi pointed out that Nigeria often depends on individual talent rather than team effort due to rushed preparations.
“You know, most times, when we play tournaments, Nigeria play that we do well. Do you know that most times it is individual effort?”
“When I mean individual effort, it is not team effort, it is not what the few days they put them in camp that they trained.”
“It is not what they trained, what they taught them, or what they let them that they use.”
She urged Nigeria to shift focus from last-minute camping to proper team-building and structured training.
“It’s individual. Everybody come, bring weights, you get, come, showcase. So, that’s what I’ve been pushing Nigeria so far.”
With the Junior D’Tigress set to face Portugal, Canada, and China in the group stage, Owolabi is more concerned with the urgent need for structured and early preparations to ensure Nigeria competes at the highest level.
