NBBF Names 17-Player D’Tigress Squad, Draw France, Germany in FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has unveiled a 17-player preliminary roster for the reigning Afrobasket champions, D’Tigress, ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers scheduled for March 11–18 across four centres: Lyon-Villeurbanne (France), Wushan (China), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Istanbul (Turkey).
The qualifiers will feature 24 nations competing for 16 available spots at the main event, which will be staged in September in Berlin, Germany.
Leading the Nigerian roster are top stars Ezinne Kalu, Elizabeth Balogun, and Promise Amukamara, alongside a strong supporting cast selected by award-winning coach Rena Wakama.
The squad also includes Pius Beggi Idubano, Nicole Enabosi, Victoria Macaulay, Grace Efosa, Amy Okonkwo, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunayi, Okoro Ifunaya, Wandoo Hembam, Adenike Olawuyi, Sarah Ogoke, Ayomide Tewogbade, Rita Igbokwe, and Blessing Ejiofor.
In the official draw held Tuesday in Mies, Switzerland, Nigeria was placed in the Lyon-Villeurbanne group alongside hosts France, Germany, Colombia, South Korea, and the Philippines.
As one of four continental champions, alongside Australia, Belgium, and the USA, Nigeria enters the qualifiers with high expectations.
D’Tigress will begin their campaign against Colombia on March 11, followed by South Korea on March 12, the Philippines on March 14, hosts France on March 15, and Germany on March 17, as they battle for one of the top three tickets in their group.
