African champions D’Tigress will kick off their 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign against South Korea in Berlin today. They are looking to continue their strong performance from the last tournament.
This will be Nigeria's third time at the World Cup, following their appearances in 2006 and 2018. They enter the tournament as the reigning AfroBasket champions, with Amy Okonkwo set to lead the attack.
Okonkwo, a two-time AfroBasket MVP, had an average of 14.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in the last tournament. Forward Murjanatu Musa also shone, with averages of 7.8 points and 7.8 rebounds.
Musa’s ability to dominate inside might be crucial against South Korea, who are ranked 15th in the world.
South Korea is making their 18th consecutive World Cup appearance. They have been finalists twice but have not made it to the quarter-finals since 2010. They finished 10th in Sydney four years ago.
One of their standout players is guard Lee-Seul Kang, who averaged 18.6 points and 1.6 steals during the qualifying tournament. Kang also set a tournament record with eight three-pointers against the Philippines.
Jihyun Park is another key player for the Koreans, averaging 11.2 points and 4.2 rebounds during qualifying.
South Korea previously beat Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers, marking one of the biggest surprises in the tournament's history.
But D’Tigress have won the last two encounters with South Korea. They narrowly beat them 70-69 during the 2016 qualifiers and also won 68-64 in an Olympic Games match in 2004.
Head coach Rena Wakama has finalized her 12-player roster for the tournament, blending experience with young talent.
Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara will join Aisha Mohammed as the only Nigerian players to have played in two FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cups.
The final squad includes Promise Amukamara, Jordan Obi, Elizabeth Balogun, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunaiyi, Rita Igbokwe, Victoria Macaulay, Ezinne Kalu, Shay Ijiwoye, Nicole Enabosi, Amy Okonkwo, and Grace Efosa.
After the match against South Korea, Nigeria will take on Hungary on September 5 at Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin. They will then face France on September 7 at Berlin Arena.
D’Tigress are aiming to build on their historic performance in 2018, when they became the first African team to reach the quarter-finals.
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