D’Tigress begin World Cup campaign with call to build on Nigeria’s legacy

Posted : 04 September 2026

As Nigeria’s D’Tigress begin their campaign at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany, basketball stakeholders and former national team stars have charged the players to build on the country’s rich basketball legacy.

FIBA Africa Zone 3 President and FIBA Africa Executive Committee member, Col. Sam Ahmedu (Rtd.), urged the African champions to approach the competition with confidence, determination and the same fighting spirit that has established Nigeria as a dominant force on the continent.

Ahmedu, who is also a board member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and former FIBA Technical Delegate, reminded the players that they are carrying a proud tradition into the global competition.

D’Tigress have won seven African titles, with their latest triumph coming at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The team has also produced memorable performances beyond Africa, notably reaching the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Tenerife, Spain.

At the 2018 tournament, Nigeria defeated established European sides Turkey and Greece before losing to eventual champions, the United States.

The achievement was followed by another historic quarter-final appearance at the Olympic Games in France, further confirming D’Tigress’ growing status on the international stage.

Former D’Tigress and WNBA players Mfon Udoka and Mactabene Amachree have also rallied behind the current squad, sending messages of support and wishing the team success in Berlin.

Udoka and Amachree were members of Nigeria’s African Championship-winning teams in 2003 and 2005 and later contributed to the rebuilding process that culminated in the team’s return to continental supremacy in 2017.

Udoka served as General Manager, while Amachree was Player Development Manager when Nigeria began its resurgence under coach Sam Vincent in 2017.

Otis Hughley later guided the team through the 2018 World Cup, 2019 Afrobasket and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, before Rena Wakama assumed responsibility in 2023 and continued the winning tradition.

The current squad also boasts considerable international experience, with veterans such as Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara, who have been part of the national setup since the 2016 Olympic qualifying tournament in Nantes, France.

They are joined by established players including Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Victoria Macaulay and Murjanatu Musa.

With a blend of experience, youth and continental success behind them, D’Tigress will now look to translate their dominance in Africa into another memorable performance on the world stage.

Ahmedu, Udoka and Amachree have therefore called on the players to embrace the occasion, draw inspiration from previous generations and continue to make Nigeria and Africa proud.

D’Tigress begin World Cup campaign with call to build on Nigeria’s legacy

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