Nigeria women national basketball team, D’Tigress, don suffer 77–60 defeat to South Korea Women’s National Basketball Team for their second match of the qualifiers for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
The match wey happen on Thursday for the Astroballe Arena in Villeurbanne, France see the Nigerian team, wey Rena Wakama coach, struggle against the strong Korean side.
The loss mark the first defeat for D’Tigress since dem lose to the United States Women’s National Basketball Team in the quarter-final of the women’s basketball event at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Earlier for the competition, Nigeria start well after dem beat Colombia Women’s National Basketball Team by 33 pointsin their opening match on Wednesday.
D’Tigress already qualify for the World Cup after dem win the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament in 2025, so their participation in the qualifiers mainly na to improve their global ranking points.
However, against South Korea, the Nigerian team face serious challenge as the Koreans take early lead.
By the end of the first quarter, South Korea lead 20–16. Nigeria try bounce back for the second quarter, but the Koreans still maintain control as the first half end 36–32.
South Korea increase the lead again in the third quarter to 58–51 before dem dominate the final quarter to secure a comfortable 17-point victory.
D’Tigress remain one of the five teams wey already qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup. Other teams wey don secure their spots include Germany as host, plus Belgium, United States and Australia after winning their continental championships.
Nigeria next match go be against Philippines Women’s National Basketball Team on Saturday.
