Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, began their campaign at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament with an emphatic 70–37 victory over Colombia at the Astroballe Arena in Villeurbanne, France.
The seven-time African champions delivered a commanding performance, dominating both ends of the court to underline their readiness for the global tournament scheduled to hold later this year in Berlin.
Guided by head coach Rena Wakama, Nigeria set the tempo early, racing to an 18–12 lead in the first quarter before gradually widening the margin with a disciplined defensive structure and efficient offensive play.
D’Tigress maintained control in the second quarter to take a 34–29 lead into halftime. A strong third-quarter surge further stretched the gap to 53–34, while the final quarter saw the Nigerians close out the contest comfortably to seal a convincing 33-point victory.
Speaking after the game, Wakama praised her team’s collective effort and focus.
“I’m proud of the team’s intensity and discipline tonight. We executed our game plan well and showed the depth we have in this squad,” Wakama said. “This tournament is important for us to keep improving and testing ourselves against strong international opponents.”
Forward Nicole Enabosi delivered an impressive all-round display, recording 11 rebounds, five assists, and 10 points to help Nigeria control the paint.
Victoria Macaulay led the scoring with 13 points and posted the highest efficiency rating of 19, while Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah strengthened Nigeria’s defensive effort with two blocks and several crucial rebounds.
Guard Ifunanya Okoro also contributed to the team’s attacking rhythm, adding two steals and a key layup in the closing minutes.
Colombia struggled to match Nigeria’s pace and physicality throughout the encounter. Yuliany Paz was the standout performer for the South Americans, registering the highest efficiency for her team with seven while also recording five rebounds and three blocks.
Mabel Martinez added six points for Colombia, but the team was unable to build momentum after a competitive second quarter, eventually succumbing to a heavy defeat.
The victory marked Wakama’s 14th competitive win since taking charge of D’Tigress three years ago, bringing her record to a 77 per cent win rate from 18 matches. Her only defeats have come against Belgium, France, and the United States.
The result provides a strong start for Nigeria as they prepare to face Korea in their second match of the qualifying series.
Although D’Tigress have already secured a place at this year’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after winning the Women’s AfroBasket title last year, the qualifying tournament offers an opportunity to test the squad’s depth and tactical flexibility against top international opposition.
The five-game tournament runs from March 11 to March 17, with the top two teams earning qualification to join hosts Germany and AfroBasket champions Nigeria at the World Cup.
Nigeria will also be aiming to build on their historic performance at the 2018 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Tenerife, Spain, where they became the first African team to advance beyond the group stage.
The dominant win over Colombia suggests Wakama’s side remains firmly on track to maintain its continental dominance while strengthening its reputation on the global stage.
