African champions D’Tigress have arrived in Berlin ready for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup despite recording mixed results during their extensive preparations.
Nigeria open their Group B campaign against Korea Republic on September 4 before facing Hungary the following day and European powerhouse France on September 7.
The team arrived in Germany after a training programme that took them through China and Spain.
Nigeria lost their opening two games in China 70-67 and 69-65 before recording an 88-77 victory in their final outing. They later suffered defeats to Spain, 83-58, and Belgium, 90-55, during their European preparations.
However, Nigeria Basketball Federation board member Ugo Udezue insists the results should not be used to judge the team’s World Cup prospects because the friendlies were primarily designed to assess players and build cohesion.
‘That’s why you have friendlies,’ Udezue said. ‘Most of the players were not there in China at different times. If you look at friendlies from beginning to end, it’s mostly about looking at other players and blending young blood into the team.
‘None of the friendlies in China had all the players at the same time. The team has been together long enough. They know what they need to do.’
Udezue is also confident Rena Wakama’s side can negotiate a difficult group.
‘I think we have a great chance. The girls know what to do. They have been there before,’ he said.
‘I think South Korea are pretty quick and technical, but we’ve been in this spot before. Even in Lyon, we nearly beat France at home. I think we are going to see a different breed of D’Tigress.’
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Senator Ita Enang, officially received the African champions on their arrival in Berlin.