D’Tigress to Begin FIBA World Cup Prep with WNBA Matches

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) announced that D’Tigress, the senior women's basketball team, will kick off their preparations for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany with a series of exhibition matches against teams from the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The tour will begin on April 25, 2026, in Los Angeles against the Sparks, followed by a match against the Minnesota Lynx on April 27, and concluding with a game against the Indiana Fever in Indianapolis on May 2, 2026.

NBBF President Amadu Musa Kida emphasized that this initiative is a strategic opportunity for players to test their skills against elite competition, reinforcing the commitment to build a high-performance squad capable of competing on a global stage. Head coach Rena Wakama noted that exposure to top WNBA teams will enhance the team's tactical and physical development, while Ugo Udezu, chairman of the NBBF's sponsorship market committee, highlighted the initiative's design to strengthen D’Tigress's global sports brand and engage the Nigerian diaspora.