Veterans Lead D’Tigress’ World Cup Charge As Nigeria Face Tough Test In Berlin
Nigeria's D’Tigress basketball team is heading to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin with a young, largely inexperienced squad. The team faces a difficult group stage against France, Hungary, and South Korea.
Why it matters
International sports performance is a significant driver of national pride and regional representation in global athletic competitions.
Nigeria’s D’Tigress will enter the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup with confidence from a proud recent history but also a significant challenge ahead, as head coach Rena Wakama takes a largely inexperienced squad into a demanding Group B campaign.
Wakama selected a final 12-player squad in which only Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara have previous World Cup experience. The pair featured at the 2018 tournament and will become the first Nigerian players to appear at two editions of the competition.
They will provide vital experience in a team otherwise dominated by debutants, with 10 of Wakama’s 12 players preparing to experience the tournament for the first time.
Captain Amy Okonkwo will lead the squad, alongside Amukamara, Jordan Obi, Elizabeth Balogun, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunaiyi, Rita Igbokwe, Victoria Macaulay, Kalu, Shay Ijiwoye, Nicole Enabosi and Grace Efosa.
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