Nigeria’s D’Tigress have intensified preparations for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after ending their three-game exhibition series against China with an impressive 88-77 victory.
The reigning African champions bounced back strongly after suffering defeats in their first two meetings with the Asian giants, dominating the opening half and establishing a commanding 58-29 lead before holding off a late Chinese comeback.
The victory provided a timely boost for D’Tigress as they continue their lengthy build-up to the global tournament, which will take place in Berlin, Germany, from September 4 to 13.
Nigeria will now move into the next phase of their preparations in Tenerife, Spain, where they are scheduled to face hosts Spain and Belgium between August 15 and 24. The team will then travel to Zaragoza for another set of warm-up matches against Mali and Puerto Rico before heading to Berlin.
The preparations began in the United States at the end of July before the team travelled to China for the three-game series as part of the Nigeria Basketball Federation’s multi-stage “Road to Berlin” programme.
D’Tigress head into the World Cup with growing expectations following their historic performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where they became the first African basketball team, male or female, to reach the Olympic quarter-finals.
FIBA has also highlighted Nigeria as one of the teams capable of making further history in Berlin, noting the progress made by the side since their breakthrough Olympic campaign.
The team, coached by Rena Wakama, are also the reigning African champions after winning their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title in 2025.
At the World Cup, Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside France, Hungary and the Republic of Korea. The group presents another major test for a side that has established itself as Africa’s dominant force but is now looking to make an even bigger impact on the world stage.
With less than three weeks before the tournament begins, D’Tigress will hope their remaining friendly matches provide the perfect preparation for their World Cup campaign.
For Nigeria, the objective is no longer simply to compete with the world’s best. After reaching the Olympic quarter-finals, the African champions will arrive in Berlin believing they can break new ground and challenge for a historic finish at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
