2019 FIBA Women's Afrobasket: Victorious Nigeria return home

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In women's basketball, Nigeria recently returned to Abuja and a hero's welcome after defending their title in the final of the 2019 Afrobasket. Their success came despite little financial support from the country, but the administrators hope that will change after the team has received increased attention in recent years. CGTN's Kelechi Emekalam has more.

A Welcome party awaits the arrival of FIBA Afrobasket champions. And D' Tigress return to a well-deserved heroic welcome.

They defeated hosts Senegal in the 2019 finals-- 60 - 55 to retain their title.

SARAH IMOVBIOH NIGERIA CENTER "We have a special group going on and we just came and we just fought and you know not a lot of people believed in us that we could do it back to back but I'm happy we came and we brought our energy and we were able to win 5 games in a row."

NDIDI MADU NIGERIA ASSISTANT COACH "I feel amazing, you know in 2017 I was a player and we won in Mali and this year I'm back as an assistant coach with the team and to win back-to-back championship is an amazing feeling. Goes to show that Basketball in Nigeria, We're putting Nigeria on the map. We're just happy."

Unlike football in Nigeria, Basketball is one sport that's been relegated to the background. The Basketball Administration worries that it's not given the much-needed support.

SAM AHMEDU FIBA AFRICA ZONE PRESIDENT "It is unfortunate that the National basketball team went to represent the country without a penny from the authorities. It doesn't speak well of us at all. But we hope that with the victory, it would motivate what would be done going forward. The NBBF is not asking for dash, the NBBF is asking for funds to administer our team to be able to do our country proud."

Earlier in the games, Nigeria had edged out Tunisia Cameroon, DR Congo and Mali by an average of 42.5 points.

The competition is a step to their qualification for FIBA AFRICA for the women's basketball games at the Tokyo summer Olympics next year.

D'Tigress are the first to win a back to back title since 2011 - after Angola followed their triumph with another in 2013. Kelechi Emekalam CGTN Abuja Nigeria.