The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has released a 17-player preliminary roster for Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Lyon, France.
The qualifying tournament will take place from March 11–18, 2026, across four host cities, Lyon-Villeurbanne (France), Wushan (China), San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Istanbul (Turkey). A total of 24 countries will compete for 16 available spots at the main tournament scheduled for September in Berlin, Germany.
Award-winning head coach Rena Wakama has named a strong squad led by key players such as Ezinne Kalu, Elizabeth Balogun and Promise Amukamara.
Also included in the squad are Pius Beggi Idubano, Nicole Enabosi, Victoria Macaulay, Grace Efosa, Amy Okonkwo, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunayi, Okoro Ifunaya, Wandoo Hembam, Adenike Olawuyi, Sarah Ogoke, Ayomide Tewogbade, Rita Igbokwe and Blessing Ejiofor.
At the official draw held in Mies, Switzerland, Nigeria was placed in the Lyon-Villeurbanne group alongside host nation France, Germany, Colombia, South Korea and Philippines.
D’Tigress head into the qualifiers as one of the four reigning continental champions, alongside Australia, Belgium and the United States.
Nigeria will begin their campaign against Colombia on March 11, before facing South Korea on March 12, Philippines on March 14, France on March 15 and Germany on March 17, as they aim to secure one of the top three qualification spots from the group.
