D’Tigress aim for stronger World Cup run after mixed qualifiers
Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, are determined to deliver an improved performance at the upcoming 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. After securing their spot by winning the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket, the team reflected on their recent qualifying campaign, which included both victories and defeats. Head coach Rena Wakama and guard Elizabeth Balogun highlighted the importance of learning from the qualifiers to prepare for the global stage. The team is focused on addressing weaknesses and building cohesion ahead of the tournament.
Match highlights
- D’Tigress finished the qualifiers with two wins and three losses, beating Colombia and Philippines but losing to South Korea, France, and Germany.
- Rena Wakama emphasized the value of the challenging schedule, noting it was a good platform for growth and preparation.
- Elizabeth Balogun stressed the need for continuous improvement, both individually and as a team, by reviewing performances and learning from mistakes.
- The team will focus on starting games stronger and making better decisions in critical moments, according to Wakama.
- D’Tigress are set to play a historic exhibition match against the Minnesota Lynx in the United States in April, marking the first time an African national team will face a WNBA franchise.
