D’Tigress Trains in France for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

D’Tigress, Nigeria's women's national basketball team, has begun training in Lyon, France, ahead of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifiers scheduled from March 11 to 17, 2026. The team, which arrived in Villeurbanne on Monday, shared a video on social media showcasing players engaging in shooting drills.

Head coach Rena Wakama, alongside assistant coaches, is leading a squad of 12 players, including team captain Ami Okonkwo and notable players like Ezinn Kalu and Promis Amukamara. Although D’Tigress has already secured a place in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin by winning the Women’s AfroBasket, these qualifiers will serve as an opportunity to refine their skills.

Nigeria's campaign opens against Colombia on March 12, followed by matches against South Korea, the Philippines, and the host nation, France. The team aims to build on their previous successes, including their historic performance in the 2018 World Cup, where they became the first African team to progress beyond the group stage.