D’Tigress begin World Cup campaign against South Korea with confidence
Nigeria’s D’Tigress are set to commence their 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup campaign today against South Korea. The match, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Uner Arena in Berlin, sees the Nigerian squad aiming to avenge a previous loss to the Korean team during the qualification series.
The D’Tigress, currently ranked 10th in the latest FIBA Women’s World Cup Power Rankings, are two spots lower than their previous eighth position. Despite this, the team expresses confidence in their abilities, with veteran Ezinne Kalu stating that the full potential of the squad has not yet been seen.
Tournament Schedule and Group Stage
The World Cup, which starts today and concludes on September 13, features 16 of the top teams globally. The initial phase will be played in a group format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the second round.
Following their opening match against South Korea, the D’Tigress will face Hungary tomorrow at the same venue. Their final first-round fixture is scheduled for September 7 against France, who are ranked second globally. In the qualification series, South Korea defeated Nigeria 77-60, and France also secured a 93-86 victory over Nigeria.
Other matches scheduled for today include Japan versus Mali in Group A, Australia against Portugal in Group C, U.S. versus China in Group D, Belgium and Turkey in Group C, Spain versus Germany in Group A, Czech Republic against Italy in Group D, and a Group B game featuring Hungary and France.
Team Confidence and Historical Context
Ezinne Kalu, a key player for D’Tigress, emphasised the team’s readiness for the competition. She called for Nigerian support, urging fans near Berlin to attend and bring their energy.
The current D’Tigress roster includes players such as Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Promise Amukamara, Murjanatu Musa, Rita Igbokwe, Jordan Obi, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, and Victoria Macaulay. Additional team members are Grace Efosa-Aguebor, Ifunanya Okoro, Nora Ezike, Nicole Enabosi, Uche Izoje, Maryam Dauda, Gabby White, and Idubamo Beggi.
The team has a history of breaking new ground for African basketball. Eight years ago, at the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Tenerife, Nigeria achieved a significant 57-56 victory over Greece, becoming the first African team to reach the Quarter-Finals of the competition. Kalu described this as a pivotal moment, demonstrating that an African country could defeat a European team.
This breakthrough was followed by an historic performance at the Tokyo Olympics and then at Paris 2024, where D’Tigress became the first African women’s basketball team to advance from the group stage to the Olympic Quarter-Finals. The experience in Tokyo was unique due to the absence of fans during the COVID-19 pandemic, which Kalu noted made it difficult to play without the usual atmosphere and energy.
In contrast, Paris offered a different environment with packed arenas and a blend of new and experienced players. Despite their eventual defeat to the United States, reaching the Quarter-Finals was considered an amazing feeling and a significant step for the team.
Inspiring a Continent and Future Outlook
Nigeria’s progress in women’s basketball has broader implications for the continent. Alongside Mali, the only other African team qualified for Berlin, Nigeria is seen as a leading representative of African women’s basketball globally. This role carries a responsibility to inspire future generations, with the ambition of seeing more African nations compete at this level.
While D’Tigress experienced some defeats in their warm-up games, the team believes these results do not reflect their full capability. Kalu indicated that the current squad, which combines experienced players with new talent, possesses a fresh mindset for the tournament. The team aims to surprise many opponents in Berlin, continuing their journey from the initial breakthrough in Tenerife to the heights of Paris, and now seeking to push further boundaries.
The D’Tigress will need to be at their best to navigate Group B and advance in the tournament, which concludes on September 13.
Source: fiba.basketball
