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Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, kicked off their FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament campaign with an impressive 70–37 victory over Colombia at the Astroballe arena in Villeurbanne, France, on Wednesday.
The seven-time African champions delivered a commanding performance, demonstrating their dominance across every facet of the game. This victory is crucial as they fine-tune their preparations for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin.
Under the leadership of head coach Rena Wakama, the Nigerian team wasted no time asserting its dominance, securing an 18–12 lead in the first quarter. Their superior offensive and defensive execution allowed them to maintain control, extending their advantage steadily as the game progressed.
By halftime, Nigeria led 34–29, and in the third quarter, their lead expanded to 53–34, with a dominant performance that saw them maintain focus on both ends of the court. The final quarter was largely academic, as the D’Tigress sealed a comprehensive 33-point win, showcasing their intensity right up to the final buzzer.
This victory marked Wakama’s 14th competitive win since taking over as D’Tigress coach in July 2023, maintaining an impressive 77 per cent win rate from 18 competitive matches, with only losses against Belgium, France, and the United States.
The win sets a positive tone for the D’Tigress as they look ahead to their next game against Korea on Thursday. While they have already secured a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup by winning the Women’s AfroBasket 2025 title, the qualifiers serve as an excellent platform to test their depth and tactical flexibility against international competition.
The five-game tournament, running from March 11 to 17, will see the top two teams join hosts Germany and AfroBasket champions Nigeria at the 2026 World Cup.
