D’Tigress Unveil Provisional Squad for 2026 FIBA WCQ
Last update: February 26, 2026
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Coach Wakama names mixed squad ahead of World Cup qualifier...
Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have unveiled a provisional squad ahead of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament scheduled for March 11 to 17, 2026 in Lyon, France.
The seven-time African champions will head into the competition with a blend of established internationals and emerging talents as head coach Rena Wakama continues preparations for the global stage.
Nigeria have been drawn alongside France, Germany, South Korea, Colombia and the Philippines in what promises to be a demanding qualifying series.
Although D’Tigress have already secured automatic qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin after winning the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket title, the Lyon tournament will serve as high-level preparation ahead of September’s showpiece.
Only the top three teams in the group will progress, increasing the stakes for every fixture.
Among the standout names in the provisional squad are Amy Okonkwo, Sarah Ogoke, Promise Amukamara and Ezinne Kalu — players who have been central to Nigeria’s recent dominance on the continent.
Their leadership and international exposure are expected to anchor the team through a competitive schedule.
The squad also features a number of promising younger players, including Pius Idubano, Adenike Olawuyi, Grace Efosa, Rita Igbokwe, Wandoo Hemba and Tewogbade Mololuwa.
Their inclusion signals Wakama’s intent to build depth and competition within the team while testing new combinations ahead of the World Cup proper.
The provisional roster comprises:
Ezinne Kalu; Elizabeth Balogun; Promise Amukamara; Pius Beggi Idubano; Nicole Enabosi; Victoria Macaulay; Murjanatu Musa; Pallas Kunayi-Akpannah; Grace Efosa; Amy Okonkwo; Ayomide Tewogbade; Rita Igbokwe; Ifunaya Okoro; Wandoo Hemba; Adenike Olawuyi; Sarah Ogoke; Blessing Ejiofor.
D’Tigress will begin their campaign against Colombia on March 11 before facing South Korea on March 12.
They will then take on the Philippines on March 14, host nation France on March 15, and Germany on March 17 as the group stage concludes.
The technical crew is expected to use the tournament to fine-tune tactics, assess line-ups and strengthen on-court chemistry ahead of the World Cup in Berlin.
The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will be staged in Berlin in September, with host Germany already qualified alongside Australia, Belgium and the United States.
Nigeria previously competed at the Women’s Basketball World Cup in Brazil in 2006 and Spain in 2018.
