D’Tigress Prepares for Final Warm-Up Against China

Ezinne Kalu, a guard for D’Tigress, expressed optimism about Nigeria's final warm-up game against China, which is set for Wednesday in Foshan, Guangdong Province. This match follows two narrow defeats to China, with scores of 70-67 and 69-65 in their previous encounters.

Kalu, who led Nigeria with 13 points in the second game, emphasized the importance of this final test to rectify mistakes made in earlier games. The team had a strong start, leading 54-46 entering the final quarter, but China mounted a comeback, highlighted by key plays from Tang Ziting and Zhang Ziyu.

Coach Rena Wakama's squad will continue their preparations for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup with a third phase in Tenerife, Spain, from August 15 to 24, followed by another phase in Zaragoza from August 25 to September 3. Nigeria's World Cup journey begins in Berlin, Germany, from September 4 to 13, where they will compete in Group B against Korea Republic, Hungary, and France.