African champion DTigress opens World Cup qualifying campaign against Colombia in Lyon

Nigeria’s DTigress, the reigning African champions, will open their campaign in the FIBA ​​Women’s World Cup Qualification Tournament against Colombia at the Villeurbanne Sports Arena in Lyon on Wednesday.

The Nigerian girls have continued to build a great reputation as a major force in world basketball and the girls see the match against the Colombians as a perfect way to build some good momentum ahead of the World Cup.

Coach Rena Wakama’s team is very focused on making the best of the qualifying tournament in Lyon despite having already qualified for the main event: the world cup in Berlin, Germany, in September, as African Champions.

The Nigerian girls, who have a reputation for improving with every match in competitions, are determined not to underestimate their relatively unknown South American rivals, who are eager to reach their second Women’s World Cup in Germany later this year.

The result of today’s match in Lyon will definitely have a special historic result as both countries meet for the first time in the history of women’s basketball.

Colombia has been showing impressive signs in recent years when it comes to women’s basketball in the South American region and became one of the top 20 countries in the latest FIBA ​​rankings after a jump of 11 spots to 19th in the latest world rankings.

Two of Nigeria’s top stars, Ezinne Kalu and Amy Okonkwo, have been named among the top ten players to watch in the tournament as D’Tigress hopes to continue her unbeaten streak since the FIBA ​​Afrobasket 2025 in Ivory Coast.