Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, will begin their 2026 World Cup campaign this afternoon against South Korea, with the team hoping to avenge their previous defeat to the Asian side during the qualifiers.
The Group B encounter is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Uner Arena in Berlin, where Amy Okonkwo and her teammates will face a South Korean side that has made significant progress in recent years. However, the Nigerian players remain unfazed by their opponents’ growing reputation.
The 2026 World Cup begins today and will run until September 13, featuring 16 of the world’s top teams. The opening phase will be played in groups, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the second round.
Following their clash with South Korea, D’Tigress will take on Hungary tomorrow at the same venue before meeting world number two France on September 7 in their final first-round fixture.
South Korea defeated Nigeria 77-60 during the qualifiers and also suffered a 93-86 defeat to France in the same series. This means Rena Wakama’s side will need to produce a strong performance to progress from Group B.
Other games scheduled for today include Japan against Mali in Group A, Australia versus Portugal in Group C, the United States against China in Group D, Belgium versus Turkey in Group C, Spain against Germany in Group A, Czech Republic versus Italy in Group D, and the Group B meeting between Hungary and France.
Ahead of what is expected to be a challenging campaign in Berlin, D’Tigress star Ezinne Kalu said the team is prepared to compete fiercely against their strong opponents until the very end.
“the team is ready to battle against the tough opponents to the last drop of blood.”
In addition to Kalu, D’Tigress’ roster includes Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Promise Amukamara, Murjanatu Musa, Rita Igbokwe, Jordan Obi, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah and Victoria Macaulay.
Other members of the squad are Grace Efosa-Aguebor, Ifunanya Okoro, Nora Ezike, Nicole Enabosi, Uche Izoje, Maryam Dauda, Gabby White and Idubamo Beggi.
