An 18-point defeat leaves Nigeria needing a strong response when the African champions return to action on Saturday.
By Emmanuel Enebeli
BERLIN/Germany: Nigeria’s D’Tigress suffered a disappointing start to their 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign on Friday, losing 99–81 to South Korea in their opening Group B encounter in Berlin.
South Korea led 26–22 after the first quarter and maintained a narrow advantage into halftime, taking a 48–45 lead into the break. Nigeria remained competitive in the third quarter, but South Korea still held a 68–62 advantage entering the final period.
The Koreans then pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure an 18-point victory.
Captain Amy Okonkwo led Nigeria’s scoring with 22 points, while South Korea’s Jihyun Park finished as the game’s leading scorer with 27 points.
The result is an early setback for a Nigerian team that arrived in Germany as reigning African champions and with growing expectations following recent success on the continental and Olympic stages.
No Time to Panic
One defeat does not end Nigeria’s World Cup campaign, but it increases the importance of the remaining group matches. The competition format gives teams routes to the quarter-finals through direct qualification or a qualification round.
Turnovers and defensive lapses will be among the areas Nigeria must address. Against South Korea, the margin remained manageable for long periods before the fourth-quarter separation.
The coaching staff now has limited time to prepare the team for its next challenge.
Hungary Next
D’Tigress are scheduled to face Hungary on Saturday, September 5, in their second Group B game. Nigeria will then face France on Monday, September 7.
The Hungary game becomes an immediate opportunity to respond. A stronger defensive effort, better possession control and more consistent offensive execution will be needed if Nigeria is to recover from the opening defeat.
A Bigger Nigerian Sporting Story
D’Tigress have become one of the strongest women’s basketball teams in Africa, and their international performances help raise the profile of women’s sport in Nigeria.
Success at major tournaments can inspire younger girls to take up basketball, strengthen the case for investment in women’s sport and demonstrate that Nigeria’s sporting identity extends beyond football.
South Korea has made Nigeria’s path more difficult, but the tournament is far from over. The immediate task is clear: learn from the opening defeat, recover quickly and compete strongly against Hungary.
