African Champions D’Tigress Open World Cup Qualifying Campaign Against Colombia In Lyon

Reigning African Champions Nigeria’s D’Tigress are set to kick start their FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament campaign against Colombia at the Villeurbanne Sports Arena in Lyon on Wednesday.

The Nigerian squad has steadily built a formidable reputation as a significant force in global basketball. The team views the match against Colombia as an ideal opportunity to build momentum ahead of the World Cup.

Coach Rena Wakama’s side is highly focused on performing exceptionally well in the qualifying tournament, despite having already secured their place at the main event – the World Cup in Berlin, Germany, this September – as African Champions.

Known for improving with each game, the Nigerian women are determined not to underestimate their relatively unknown South American opponents. Colombia, too, are eager to secure their spot at what would be only their second Women’s World Cup.

Today’s clash in Lyon will be historic, marking the first-ever encounter between the two nations in women’s basketball.

Colombia have shown considerable improvement in South American women’s basketball recently, climbing 11 places to 19th in the latest FIBA world rankings, entering the top 20.

Nigeria’s key players, Ezinne Kalu and Amy Okonkwo, have been highlighted as two of the tournament’s top ten players to watch, as D’Tigress aim to extend their unbeaten run from the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket in Côte d’Ivoire.