FIBA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS:- D’Tigress begin training in France for W’Cup qualifiers
Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have begun training in France ahead of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2026, which starts on Wednesday in Lyon.
The seven-time African champions arrived Lyon, on Monday for the tournament scheduled to take place from March 11 to 17, with the team confirming their arrival through a video shared on their official social media platforms.
Clips posted by the team on Instagram on Monday showed the squad taking part in their first training session as well as a gym workout, marking the start of their preparations for Wednesday’s opening match against Colombia.
All 12 players selected for the competition travelled to France alongside head coach Rena Wakama and her assistants.
Although Nigeria have already secured qualification for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin after winning the Women’s AfroBasket 2025, the qualifiers will serve as further preparation for the global tournament scheduled to take place in Germany from September 4 to 13.
D’Tigress will open their campaign against Colombia on Wednesday before facing South Korea on March 12, the Philippines on March 14, hosts France on March 15 and Germany on March 17.
The squad includes several experienced players expected to play leading roles during the competition, including guards Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara, as well as team captain Amy Okonkwo. Other members of the team include Sarah Ogoke, Elizabeth Balogun, Nicole Enabosi, Victoria Macaulay, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunayi-Akpanah, Rita Igbokwe, Ifunaya Okoro and Blessing Ejiofor.
