Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, kicked off their FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament campaign in style, thrashing Colombia 70-37 in their Group D opener on Wednesday at the Astroballe arena in Villeurbanne, France.
The seven-time African champions delivered a commanding defensive masterclass, restricting Colombia to just 37 points while showcasing their depth and intensity in the second half.
D’Tigress Thrash Colombia in World Cup Qualifier Opener | Getty, FIBA
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
- Q1: Nigeria 18 – Colombia 12
- Q2: Nigeria 16 – Colombia 17 (halftime: 34-29)
- Q3: Nigeria 19 – Colombia 5
- Q4: Nigeria 17 – Colombia 3
D’Tigress exploded after halftime, outscoring Colombia 36-8 in the final two quarters with a relentless 16-0 scoring run that broke the game wide open. The Nigerians limited their opponents to just eight points in the entire second half — a statement of defensive dominance.
Top Performers
- Victoria Macaulay led all scorers with 13 points and 6 rebounds.
- Guard Ifunanya Okoro posted a strong all-round display: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in 28 minutes.
The team showed excellent balance, with multiple players contributing in scoring and rebounding.
Post-Match Reactions
Coach Rena Wakama (in the official FIBA press conference):
“We came here with a clear mindset — to start strong and control the tempo from the beginning. The first half was competitive, but I’m really proud of how the girls adjusted defensively in the second half. Limiting them to eight points after halftime shows the character and discipline in this team. This is just the first step. We know tougher challenges await, but this victory gives us confidence and momentum.”
Victoria Macaulay (leading scorer):
“It feels great to start with a big win. We knew Colombia would fight, but our focus was on defence and sharing the ball. Everyone stepped up when it mattered. Now we move on to the next game — we’re taking it one match at a time.”
Ifunanya Okoro:
“Defence wins championships. We locked in after halftime and that’s what made the difference. The energy from the bench and the coaches was incredible. We’re ready for the rest of the tournament.”
This victory marked Coach Rena Wakama’s 14th win in 18 games since taking charge of D’Tigress in 2023.
Upcoming Fixtures for Nigeria (Group D):
- Saturday, March 15: Nigeria vs Philippines – 2:00 PM
- Sunday, March 16: Nigeria vs France – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 18: Nigeria vs Germany – 5:00 PM
D’Tigress now sit at 1-0 and will look to build on this momentum as they chase qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
