Israel Oluyemi
Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, has recorded mixed results at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne, France.
The Nigerian team won two matches and lost two in the four-game series.
Nigeria had already secured a World Cup spot through continental success.
The qualifiers provided a platform to assess tactics and player performance against international opponents.
D’Tigress defeated Colombia 70–37 in their opening match.
The team forced turnovers, dominated rebounds, and converted fast breaks into points.
South Korea handed Nigeria a 77–60 defeat in the second match.
The Asian side exploited defensive gaps and relied on quick ball movement and perimeter shooting.
Nigeria recovered with a 101–84 win over the Philippines.
Fast transitions and aggressive defense allowed the team to dominate the second half.
France controlled the tempo in the final match and defeated Nigeria 84–62.
The European team restricted scoring lanes and exposed structural flaws in Nigeria’s half-court offense.
Coach Philip Braide said, “The team showed resilience and responded strongly to setbacks during the competition. They also demonstrated the attacking potential that has made them a dominant force on the continent.”
He added, “If D’Tigress refines defensive organisation and improves offensive efficiency against structured opponents, they could emerge as a dangerous challenger.”
D’Tigress’ physicality and transition play remain strong assets.
The team must improve perimeter defense, ball circulation, and half-court execution before the World Cup.
Lessons from France and South Korea will guide tactical adjustments ahead of the global tournament.