D’Tigress begin World Cup campaign against South Korea in Berlin
Nigeria’s Journey to Berlin
Nigeria‘s D’Tigress are set to commence their 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup campaign in Berlin, with their opening match scheduled against South Korea. This encounter holds significance as South Korea previously defeated Nigeria during the qualification series. The tournament, featuring 16 of the world’s top teams, began today and is slated to conclude on September 13.
The D’Tigress have a history of breaking barriers in international basketball. Eight years ago in Tenerife, they achieved a notable 57-56 victory over Greece at the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. This win marked the first time an African team reached the Quarter-Finals of the competition. Ezinne Kalu, a veteran player, highlighted this as a pivotal moment for the team’s development.
Following their success in 2018, Nigeria continued to make strides, including a historic performance at the Tokyo Olympics. They further advanced at Paris 2024, becoming the first African women’s basketball team to reach the Olympic Quarter-Finals after progressing from the group stage. Kalu described the Paris experience as “very special,” noting the presence of new players and the team’s strong performance.
Tournament Schedule and Team Outlook
The D’Tigress’ first match in Group B is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Uner Arena in Berlin. After facing South Korea, Nigeria will play Hungary tomorrow at the same venue. Their final first-round fixture will be against France on September 7.
During the qualification series, South Korea secured a 77-60 victory over Nigeria, while France defeated Nigeria 93-86. These past results indicate that the Rena Wakama-led team will need to perform at their peak to advance from Group B.
Other matches scheduled for today include:
- Group A: Japan vs. Mali
- Group C: Australia vs. Portugal
- Group D: U.S. vs. China
- Group C: Belgium vs. Turkey
- Group A: Spain vs. Germany
- Group D: Czech Republic vs. Italy
- Group B: Hungary vs. France
Despite some defeats in their warm-up games, there is a sense of confidence within the Nigerian squad. Kalu expressed belief that the team’s full potential has not yet been seen, suggesting they are in a strong position. The current D’Tigress roster combines experienced players with a new generation, aiming for a different mindset in the tournament.
Squad and Expectations
The D’Tigress squad for the tournament includes:
- Ezinne Kalu
- Amy Okonkwo
- Elizabeth Balogun
- Promise Amukamara
- Murjanatu Musa
- Rita Igbokwe
- Jordan Obi
- Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah
- Victoria Macaulay
- Grace Efosa-Aguebor
- Ifunanya Okoro
- Nora Ezike
- Nicole Enabosi
- Uche Izoje
- Maryam Dauda
- Gabby White
- Idubamo Beggi
The team is currently ranked 10th in the latest FIBA Women’s World Cup Power Rankings, a slight decrease from their previous eighth position. Kalu has called for support from Nigerians in Berlin, urging them to bring their flags, voices, and energy to the games. She believes the team is prepared to compete fiercely against their opponents.
Nigeria’s progress in women’s basketball has also inspired other African nations. Alongside Mali, the only other African team to qualify for Berlin, D’Tigress carries the responsibility of encouraging more African countries to reach this level of competition. Kalu stated that the ambition is to see continued success for Nigeria and Mali, and eventually, more African representation at this elite stage.
The D’Tigress are looking to build on their past achievements and believe they have more to demonstrate in Berlin, with Kalu stating, “We are going to surprise a lot of teams.” The tournament concludes on September 13.
Source: fiba.basketball
