Nigeria’s female basketball national team, D’Tigress have settled down in Berlin, Germany, as they get ready for their first game of the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup this Friday against South Korea, Sports247 reports.
READ ALSO: Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun Tipped To Stand Out For D’Tigress At FIBA Women’s World Cup In Berlin
D’Tigress’ first game will tip-off at 1:30pm Nigeria time at Uner Arena in Berlin, ahead of which the players issued various declarations that they are eager to get started, while anticipating a glorious outing against the Asians.
The Nigerian team will aim to justify their ranking as Africa’s leading squad at this year’s championship, which will hold from September 4th to 13th, with 16 countries competing in an expanded format that provides D’Tigress with an opportunity to progress further.
After starting out against South Korea on Friday in Group B, D’Tigress will face Hungary the following day at the same venue, after which they will go out against world-number two, France on September 7th for their last match of the first round fixtures.
D’Tigress will have to redouble their effort against the Koreans, having lost 77-60 to the Asians during the qualifciattion series, while a 93-86 defeat by France during the qualifiers also means Coach Rena Wakama’s players must be on their toes for their last game as well.
The only previous clash between Nigeria and Hungrary occured at junior level, when both countries clashed in the round of 16 of the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup on July 16, 2025, and the Europeans won the tie 77-51.
However, as the games loom in Berlin, D’Tigress’ veteran and 34-year-old guard, Ezinne Kalu, who broke into the squad at the 2016 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, declared emphatically that she and her colleagues will not raise their arms in surrender.
The five-time consecutive Women’s AfroBasket winner with the team in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025 called on Nigerians in and around Berlin to troop out and lend support to D’Tigress’ search for global glory, starting against Korea on Friday.
“We need our people there to support us. We need every Nigerian near Berlin to come through. Bring your flag, your voice and energy,” said Ezinne ahead of what will be the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of China player’s second FIBA Women’s World Cup appearance.
Sports247 also reports that is a symbolic return to the FIBA World Cup by D’Tigress, as they missed the 2022 edition due to leadership crisis in Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), which led to the country’s withdrawal from the qualifying tournament in Belgrade.
