Defending African champions D’Tigress are in Berlin for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, where Nigeria will begin its campaign after an uneven run of warm-up games.
Key takeaways
- Nigeria will meet Korea Republic on September 4, Hungary on September 5 and France on September 7 in Group B.
- The squad’s preparation schedule included camps and games in China and Spain.
- Nigeria won once and lost twice in China, then suffered further defeats against Spain and Belgium.
- Nigeria Basketball Federation board member Ugo Udezue says the friendly results do not reflect the team’s tournament potential.
- Ambassador Ita Enang welcomed the African champions after they landed in the German capital.
D’Tigress set for demanding Group B
Rena Wakama’s team will face Korea Republic in its opening fixture on September 4. Hungary awaits the next day, while France, regarded as one of Europe’s leading teams, will provide the opposition on September 7.
The Nigerians reached Germany following a preparation tour that included stops in China and Spain. Their first two Chinese matches ended in narrow losses, 70-67 and 69-65, but they responded by beating their final opponent 88-77.
The team’s European programme produced two more setbacks. Spain won 83-58, before Belgium recorded a 90-55 success.
Udezue urges patience with preparation results
Ugo Udezue said the warm-up record should not be taken as a measure of Nigeria’s chances at the World Cup. He explained that the games were used mainly to examine different options, integrate younger players and improve the team’s understanding.
“That is the purpose of friendly matches,” Udezue said. “Players were arriving at different times in China, so the full group was not available together in any of those games. From the start of the preparation to the finish, the priority was assessing alternatives and adding young talent to the established group.”
He added that the squad has now spent sufficient time together and understands its responsibilities heading into the competition.
Udezue believes Nigeria can handle the challenge in Group B and said the players have the experience required for the occasion.
“We have a very good opportunity,” he said. “The players understand their roles and have faced this level before. South Korea are fast and technically strong, but this is not an unfamiliar situation for us. We came close to defeating France in Lyon, in their own country, and I expect a different D’Tigress team to emerge here.”
Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, Senator Ita Enang, formally welcomed the continental champions when they arrived in Berlin.
