Nigeria’s D’Tigress opened their 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign with an 18-point defeat to Korea in Berlin.
The seven-time African champions suffered a 99–81 loss to Korea in their opening Group B game of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup on Friday at the Berlin Arena in Germany.
Coach Rena Wakama, after the defeat, said she trusts her players to bounce back.
«“We will bounce back, I’m not worried at all. I know who I have in my locker room and I know we have enough.”»
Korea made a strong start, taking a 26–22 lead at the end of the first quarter. Nigeria responded in the second quarter, outscoring Korea 23–22, but still went into halftime trailing 48–45.
Korea extended its advantage in the third quarter, winning the period 20–17 to take a 68–62 lead into the final quarter.
The Koreans then produced their strongest performance of the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring D’Tigress 31–19 to secure the 99–81 victory.
Jihyun Park was Korea’s leading scorer with 31 points, while Amy Okonkwo top-scored for Nigeria with 24 points.
Korea also finished the game with a 50% success rate from three-point range, compared with Nigeria’s 30%. Nigeria, though, shot better from the free-throw line, converting 75% of its attempts against Korea’s 72.2%.
The defeat leaves D’Tigress needing a response in their next Group B fixture as they continue their World Cup campaign today when they face Hungary at 1:15 p.m. Nigerian time.
D’Tigress’ best finish at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup is eighth place, achieved in 2018, while Nigeria have won the Women’s AfroBasket title seven times, including a record five consecutive titles.
