African champions, the D’Tigress of Nigeria, have announced their provisional roster ahead of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament, scheduled for 11–17 March 2026 in Lyon, France, www.aclsports.com reports.
Head coach Rena Wakama has called up a mix of experienced and emerging talent as the seven-time African champions prepare to face France, Germany, South Korea, Colombia and the Philippines in the qualifying tournament.
The squad, led by stars Amy Okonkwo, Sarah Ogoke, Promise Amukamara and Ezinne Kalu, also includes young players Pius Beggi Idubano, Adenike Olawuyi, Grace Efosa, Rita Igbokwe, Wandoo Hemba and Tewogbade Mololuwa.
D’Tigress provisional roster:
Ezinne Kalu, Elizabeth Balogun, Promise Amukamara, Pius Beggi Idubano, Nicole Enabosi, Victoria Macaulay, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunayi-Akpannah, Grace Efosa, Amy Okonkwo, Ayomide Tewogbade Mololuwa, Rita Igbokwe, Ifunaya Okoro, Wandoo Hemba, Adenike Olawuyi, Sarah Ogoke, and Blessing Ejiofor.
Nigeria will kick off their qualifying campaign against Colombia on March 11, followed by matches against South Korea on March 12, the Philippines on March 14, France on March 15, and Germany on March 17. The top three teams from the group will advance to the next stage.
Nigeria have already secured automatic qualification for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin, Germany, which will take place from 4–13 September 2026, by winning the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket title.
Alongside host nation Germany, the winners of the 2025 Women’s Continental Cups, Australia, Belgium and the USA, have also qualified.
The D’Tigress will use the qualifying tournament to sharpen their strategies and strengthen the team’s cohesion ahead of the World Cup.
