Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has revealed a 17-player provisional roster ahead of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament set to hold in Lyon, France, from March 11–17, 2026.
Head coach Rena Wakama has combined experienced campaigners with rising stars, ensuring a balance of leadership and fresh energy as the team prepares to face tough competition from France, Germany, South Korea, Colombia, and the Philippines.
Veteran players like Amy Okonkwo, Sarah Ogoke, Promise Amukamara, and Ezinne Kalu headline the squad, supported by promising talents including Adenike Olawuyi, Grace Efosa, Rita Igbokwe, Wandoo Hemba, and Tewogbade Mololuwa.
The provisional list also features Elizabeth Balogun, Nicole Enabosi, Victoria Macaulay, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunayi‑Akpannah, Ifunaya Okoro, and Blessing Ejiofor.
Nigeria will kick off the qualifiers against Colombia on March 11, before taking on South Korea and the Philippines, and later facing France and Germany.
Although D’Tigress have already secured their place at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin after winning the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket, the Lyon qualifiers will serve as a crucial platform to fine-tune tactics and team chemistry ahead of the main tournament.
