Nigeria’s D’Tigress opened their 2026 FIBA Girls’s World Cup qualifying marketing campaign with a commanding 70–37 victory over Colombia in Lyon, France, on Wednesday.
The match, held at Astroballe Area, was the first-ever assembly between the 2 groups. Regardless of a aggressive first half, the African champions pulled away after the break with a robust defensive show and staff cohesion.
Coach Rena Wakama began the sport with Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Promise Amukamara, Murjanatu Musa, and Ezinne Kalu. Amukamara scored the primary factors for Nigeria, together with a free throw and a lay-up, whereas Colombia’s Mabel Martinez responded with a three-pointer to maintain her staff within the sport early on.
Nigeria led 18–12 after the primary quarter, and though Colombia narrowed the hole within the second quarter, the D’Tigress went into half-time with a 34–29 lead.
The third quarter noticed Nigeria take management, limiting Colombia to simply 5 factors and constructing a 53–34 benefit. Within the last interval, the D’Tigress maintained depth, including 17 factors whereas holding Colombia to a few, sealing a 33-point triumph.
Victoria Macaulay starred with 13 factors and 6 rebounds in simply 14 minutes, incomes Participant of the Match honours. Nicole Enabosi contributed a double-double of 10 factors and 11 rebounds, whereas Ifunnaya Okoro added 10 factors.
Nigeria dominated the boards 51–31, shot 40.6% from the sphere, and recorded 23 assists, displaying wonderful teamwork and defensive self-discipline.
The D’Tigress will now deal with their subsequent Group D match in opposition to South Korea on 12 March, persevering with their marketing campaign towards the FIBA Girls’s World Cup in Berlin.
