Nigeria’s D’Tigress are set to return to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup for the first time in eight years when they face South Korea on Friday in Berlin, with the African champions determined to build on their historic achievements and make another deep run on the global stage.
The Group B opener at the Berlin Arena will mark Nigeria’s third appearance at the World Cup, following their campaigns in 2006 and 2018. Their 2018 outing remains their best, as D’Tigress became the first African team to reach the quarterfinals before finishing eighth.
Ahead of Friday’s showdown, veteran guard Ezinne Kalu has issued a passionate rallying call to Nigerians in Germany and supporters around the world.
“We are heading to Berlin for the World Cup, and we need our people there to support us. So we need every Nigerian near Berlin to come through. Bring your flag, your voice and energy.”
Kalu will be at the heart of Nigeria’s campaign alongside fellow veteran Promise Amukamara, with both players set to make history as the first Nigerian women’s basketball players to feature at two FIBA Women’s World Cups.
The pair were part of the squad that reached the quarterfinals in 2018 and now return eight years later with an opportunity to help a new generation of D’Tigress players make their mark.
Captain Amy Okonkwo will provide further leadership for a squad packed with experience, while Victoria Macaulay enters the tournament after an outstanding showing during the World Cup qualifying tournament in Lyon.
Macaulay was named in FIBA’s All-Star Five after averaging 13.6 points and 6.0 rebounds during the qualifiers. She also produced a 22-point, six-rebound performance against South Korea.
Head coach Rena Wakama, meanwhile, will be aiming to turn that experience into another historic campaign.
Wakama has already guided D’Tigress to unprecedented heights, including becoming the first African basketball team to reach the Olympic quarterfinals at Paris 2024.
Under her leadership, Nigeria also captured a fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title in 2025, securing their place at the Berlin World Cup.
Nigeria arrive in Germany after an extensive preparation programme that included camps and exhibition games in the United States, China, Tenerife and Zaragoza before their arrival in Berlin on Wednesday.
But Friday’s opening game carries an extra edge.
South Korea defeated Nigeria 77-60 in their meeting at the March World Cup qualifying tournament in Lyon, handing D’Tigress their first-ever senior women’s basketball defeat to the Asian side. Macaulay led Nigeria with 22 points in that encounter.
Wakama and her players will now have the chance to respond on the biggest stage.
After Korea, D’Tigress will face Hungary on September 5 before meeting France on September 7 in their final Group B game.
With Kalu and Amukamara bringing World Cup experience, Okonkwo providing leadership, Macaulay offering firepower and Wakama steering the team, Nigeria will be chasing more than a return to the competition.
They will be chasing history.
