African champions Nigeria D’Tigress suffered their second straight loss at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, going down 71–67 to Hungary in Berlin on Saturday.
Quick facts
- Hungary 71–67 Nigeria
- Elizabeth Balogun paced Nigeria’s late fightback with 13 points.
- Juhász finished with 19 points and 16 rebounds for Hungary.
- Nigeria will meet France in Group B on Monday, September 7.
Hungary established an early advantage, moving 21–13 ahead after the opening period and taking a 36–26 lead into the interval. A breakaway lay-up from Elizabeth Balogun narrowed the gap, but Dorka Juhász scored near the end of the half to put Hungary 10 points clear again.
Nigeria improved after the restart. Murjanatu Musa scored on three consecutive possessions, Amy Okonkwo hit a pair of three-pointers and Ezinne Kalu added a lay-up, yet Hungary remained in control at 52–42 before the final quarter.
D’Tigress won the fourth period 25–19 and mounted a determined challenge. Balogun and Victoria Macaulay drove the revival, with Balogun’s late finish cutting Hungary’s advantage to two points.
Hungary held on when Reka Lelik made both free throws, securing the country’s first Women’s World Cup win in 28 years.
Okonkwo topped Nigeria’s scoring with 17 points and collected six rebounds. Balogun contributed 13 points, Kalu finished with 11 points and nine assists, while Macaulay scored 11 and Musa added 10.
Juhász was Hungary’s leading scorer and rebounder, producing 19 points and 16 boards. Virág Takács-Kiss supplied 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Earlier, Mali produced a major upset by defeating world No. 6 Spain 82–73. The result delivered Mali’s second Women’s World Cup victory, their first against European opposition, and saw Sika Koné post 19 points and 10 rebounds for a historic fifth consecutive double-double.
Nigeria will close its Group B campaign against France on Monday, September 7.
