EVELYN AKHATOR, D’TIGRESS FORWARD: How we conquered Argentina in Spain

That D’Tigress forward Evelyn Akhator played a key role in Nigeria’s giant leap at the 2018FIBA Women’s World Cup in Spain would be putting it mildly.

On court, the 23-year-old became the greatest influence in D’Tigress rise to eighth position in the world, winning three games along the way. The former WNBA player featured in the D’Tigress’ four games, totalling 58 points with an average of 14.5 points per game, 10.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists to help Nigeria defeat Turkey, arch rivals Argentina and Greece. She is also the only African to make the MVP shortlist at the World Cup.

For a team not given an iota of a chance to win a game, winning three matches, according to the basketball queen, is like quenching a long thirst for winning. “When you are thirsty and you have not tried a particular juice for a long time and you finally get to drink it, it is like you can’t have enough of it and you want to try it again and again. That is how it is for us. When we won the game against Turkey, we wanted to win more games. We were hungry and we wanted more of winning. It makes us feel thirstier for victory,” said Akhator.

The beautiful 6.3 footer is, however, not all basketball. She is into real estate, buying and selling, loves to cook and listens to good music. In-fact, she has a crush on Nigeria music star, Kiss Daniel, who she would love to meet.  “….my crush in the entertainment world? It is Kiss Daniel. That is my crush…and I would love to link up with him,” added Akhator.

She speaks extensively on the World Cup victories and losses and what made the team tick, backroom secrets, their weakest point and other intimate issues about himself in the full interview below.

After the game against Australia, a lot of people said they knew we were just coming to Spain as mere participants. So what happened behind the scene that changed everything?

I will go right from the Australia game and I think we made a statement even in that game. Ok, it was true that nobody gave us a chance of even winning a single game in that tournament. Even bookmakers did not give us any chance. They didn’t think we were going to win any game. Even the commentators said something like that, even though they did not disrespect us.

As I was saying, we made a statement in the Australia game and we told them we were not in Spain to joke but for serious business. And it shows, even though many did not see that. That game actually motivated us to go the extra mile.

And before the Turkey game, the coach actually had a one-on-one with some of us and the GM also spoke with us. In-fact, we knew we were going to beat Turkey because we were ready to fight to redeem ourselves. We had the belief mentality that we could do it.

The game against Argentina, when it comes to rivalry in football and then in basketball, it’s like something is growing there too, what was the feeling like before and after that game?

In football during the World Cup in Russia, the Super Eagles lost to Argentina and this is like telling them that we’ve got their back. And it shows on the court with the way the referee was blowing against us. It shows they wanted Argentina to win and Argentina played a fast, quick game but we played together, we did not lose our head. We had good chemistry as a team and that showed on the long run. It was a great feeling and based on the fact that we are a family and when one member of the family is down, the other is there to get his back. That was the feeling after we won. That we have avenged the defeat over Super Eagles and that we got their back.

Would you say that was the game that changed it all for you or is it the game against Turkey?

I would put it this way. When you are thirsty and you have not tried a particular juice for a long time and you finally got to drink it, it is like you can’t have enough of it and you want to try it again and again. That is how it is for us. When we won the game against Turkey, we wanted to win more games. We were hungry and we wanted more of winning. It makes us feel thirstier for victory.

The loss against United States, was it disappointing for the team or a testament to the point that you guys have had enough of the taste for victory?

No, I think we were not disappointed and we held our heads high. We were the only team that actually played USA. I mean really played USA. We fought hard and they can testify to that. It was not an easy win for them. They had to go re-strategise for what they call ‘little Nigeria.’ We showed that we don’t care and we are ready to play them to the last. It was in the second half of the game that we just lost it. It was a good game and we went down fighting. We got their respect thereafter and whenever we have to play them again, they would know better not to mess with us. They would take us serious.

What is the strongest point of this team?

I would say our strongest point is that we are pretty fast. We are quick and relentless. We are resilient and no matter what we try to bounce back immediately. What we don’t do well is shooting and that is one thing we need to work on. We have to shoot more, every one of us. It is not about making shots, we are pro-ballers; we need to take shots anywhere on court. That is our weakest point.

We are, however, strong, athletic, and quick and that accounted for most of our victories.

The final moment of the World Cup for you, how did it feel? Astonishing! Epic centre! You know what I mean. Peak of the moment. This is my first World Cup. I don’t know about 2022, but this is my moment and the environment gets to you in a special way. The way the people welcome you and the atmosphere in the court was awesome. And we had our own fans too. It is a moment I won’t forget in a hurry.

Outside basketball, do you have any other passion?

Yeah! I have always played basketball all my life and if I wasn’t playing basketball I don’t know what I would be doing. I have not really given that a long thought. If I am not playing basketball, I will be working out and that being so consistent.

However, right now I am thinking in the area of business. So if I am not playing basketball, I will be doing something that would bring money.

And if I am not doing those, I’m cooking or sleeping.

What business are you into right now?

I just started last year. I am into real estate. I have experienced people around me and would like to go real deep into it. I also buy and sell.

What’s your beauty regimen like?

I don’t know. I’m all natural. When I play basketball, you don’t see make up on my face. I don’t know how to do it. If you see make up on me someone else has done it for me. I am not a makeup person.

Who is the most fashionable person on this team?

That would be Aisha. She always makes up when she plays. Off the court, you can also think of Tonye, Promise, Ezinne, Sarah and others. They all like to dress up and look special. But Aisha always stood out on and off the court. That is her thing; make up.

Worse kept secret

I don’t have any. I don’t keep secret. I am honest. I tell people what I’m doing and what happens to me. I don’t keep them bottled up.

Do you have a crush on any sports star?

Oh! I have a crush on Kevin Dunn. I am just hoping to see him. That is on the sport side. I really don’t want to tell you who I crush on in the movie and entertainment industry. You really don’t want to know. My boyfriend would kill me if he finds out.

But, you are going to do one thing for me and that would be promise that you will link me up with him…my crush in the entertainment world. It is Kiss Daniel. That is my crush.

So you have a boyfriend?

Of course, I do have a boyfriend.

Tell me your ideal type of man

I don’t have this idea of a perfect man. As long as you are God-fearing, understanding, and attention-giver. Main thing is God-fearing and understanding and every other thing will fall into place. When you have the two, you tend to be loving, caring, and every other thing.