D’Tigress open W’Cup qualifying campaign with Colombia clash News

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, will open their campaign at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament with a clash against Colombia women’s national basketball team on Wednesday (today) in Villeurbanne, France, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The match will take place at the Astroballe arena with tip-off scheduled for 2pm local time, as the seven-time African champions begin a demanding five-game schedule in the tournament running from March 11 to 17.

Nigeria arrived in France on Monday and immediately began preparations under head coach Rena Wakama, holding their first training session shortly after landing in Villeurbanne ahead of the opening encounter.

The Nigerian roster blends experience and youth, with captain Amy Okonkwo leading the 12-player squad that also includes guards Ezinne Kalu, Promise Amukamara, Sarah Ogoke and Elizabeth Balogun.

Other players selected for the tournament are Ifunanya Okoro, Murjanatu Musa, Blessing Ejiofor, Nicole Enabosi, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, Victoria Macaulay and Rita Igbokwe.

Although Nigeria have already secured a place at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 after winning the Women’s AfroBasket 2025 title, the qualifying tournament provides an opportunity for the team to test themselves against strong opposition ahead of the global competition scheduled to hold in Berlin, Germany from September 4 to 13.

Speaking to NBBF ahead of the game, Wakama said the team had approached preparations with intensity and focus.

“Our preparations have been intense, and this tournament here in Lyon is an important part of that process. It gives us the opportunity to test ourselves against strong competition and evaluate where we are as a team,” she said.

“The players have shown great commitment, discipline and hunger, so I believe we are moving in the right direction as we prepare for the World Cup in Germany.”

Wakama explained that the squad assembled for the qualifiers was carefully selected to ensure a balance between experienced players and emerging talents capable of bringing fresh energy into the team.

“What’s different this time is the balance we have within the squad. We have a strong core of experienced players who understand the expectations and the culture of D’Tigress, and at the same time we have integrated some younger talents who bring fresh energy and competitiveness,” she said.

“Tactically, we are also evolving, focusing on faster transitions, stronger defensive communication and better team chemistry.”

The coach added that representing Nigeria remained a strong motivation for the players as they prepared to compete on the international stage.

“With everything going on in the world today, we are proud to have the opportunity to play the game we love. The World Cup qualifiers are the only professional women’s basketball games being played and televised in the world this week,” Wakama said.

“Representing Nigeria means a lot to every player on this roster, and we want to make our supporters proud. They will see a team that fights for every possession, plays unselfish basketball and never gives up.”

Colombia head into the tournament as one of three nations making their debut at the qualifying event, alongside Germany and the Philippines, while France are the only team in the Lyon-Villeurbanne group that featured at the 2022 edition of the World Cup.

The South American side recently climbed into the top 20 of the global rankings after rising 11 places to 19th in the latest update.

The top two teams from the tournament will qualify for the World Cup, joining hosts Germany and AfroBasket champions Nigeria at the global showpiece.

Nigeria previously made history at the 2018 World Cup in Tenerife, Spain, when they became the first African team to progress from the group stage, and the current squad will hope the qualifiers in France provide valuable preparation as they build towards another appearance on the world stage next year.