African champions, Nigeria’s D’Tigress, will face WNBA teams Los Angeles Sparks and Minnesota Lynx in a series of pre-season fixtures in April in the United States, www.aclsports.com reports.
The match-ups form part of preparations ahead of the new WNBA season and will see the Nigerian side test themselves against elite club opposition.
D’Tigress will first face the Los Angeles Sparks on April 25 at the Viejas Arena in San Diego, located on the campus of San Diego State University. Two days later, on April 27, Nigeria will take on the Minnesota Lynx at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
Both fixtures represent a historic step, marking D’Tigress’ first meetings with these WNBA sides. They are also a rare occasion for a league franchise to face a reigning continental champion, highlighting the growing competitiveness of women’s basketball across continents.
Head coach Rena Wakama brings WNBA experience, currently serving on the coaching staff of the Chicago Sky and also in the Unrivalled league. Several members of the squad have had stints in the league: Amy Okonkwo featured for the Dallas Wings last season, Ezinne Kalu had a spell with the Atlanta Dream, and Murjanatu Musa spent time in training camp with the Connecticut Sun.
These games will offer D’Tigress valuable exposure against high-level opposition and serve as preparation for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, scheduled for 4–13 September in Berlin, Germany.
