Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team Nigeria women’s national basketball team will begin their campaign at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournament today with a match against Colombia women’s national basketball team in Lyon, France.

The African champions arrived in France earlier this week and immediately began final preparations under head coach Rena Wakama as they aim to start the tournament strongly. The opening match is scheduled to take place at the Astroballe Arena in Villeurbanne.

D’Tigress are entering the competition with confidence after dominating African basketball in recent years. The team secured automatic qualification for the 2026 global tournament after winning the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship.

Despite already qualifying for the World Cup, the tournament in Lyon serves as a major test for the squad as they prepare for the global competition scheduled later in the year in Berlin, Germany.

Nigeria will play a demanding schedule during the tournament. After the opening clash with Colombia, the team will face South Korea women’s national basketball team, Philippines women’s national basketball team, France women’s national basketball team, and Germany women’s national basketball team between March 11 and March 17.

Key players expected to lead Nigeria’s challenge include Amy Okonkwo, Ezinne Kalu, Sarah Ogoke, and Promise Amukamara, all of whom bring experience from previous international competitions.

Coach Wakama said her team is fully focused on the task ahead and prepared to compete strongly against Colombia as they begin their campaign in France.