Nigeria’s D’Tigress have been backed by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to launch their 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign with victory against South Korea in Berlin on Friday.
The reigning African champions are seeking a response against the Asian side, who defeated Nigeria at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France earlier this year.
D’Tigress go into the Group B fixture encouraged by an intensive training camp and a sustained period of preparation under head coach Rena Wakama.
NSC Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade said he believed Nigeria possessed the quality and character to perform strongly on the international stage. He also praised the players for the discipline, patriotism and professionalism they have shown while representing their country.
Olopade said the team had the ability to raise its performance when faced with a major challenge and expressed confidence in Nigeria’s prospects at the tournament.
“I have no doubt that our girls will leave everything on the court in every game, starting with today’s match against the Koreans,” Olopade told the NSC media.
“That is one thing you cannot take away from D’Tigress and their coaching staff.
“I want every Nigerian to rally around the team and put them in their prayers because they definitely need all our support to have a good campaign at the World Cup.”
Friday’s match will be the fourth encounter between Nigeria and South Korea. D’Tigress currently hold the edge in the head-to-head record, with two victories compared with one defeat.
The result will be important in setting the tone for Nigeria’s campaign, with the African champions also scheduled to play Hungary and European powerhouse France in Group B.
The format gives the group winners a direct route to the quarter-finals. Teams finishing second and third will instead need to come through qualification games to secure places in the last eight.
Nigeria’s preparations have taken place under Wakama, who has overseen the team’s build-up to a tournament in which D’Tigress will be aiming to compete strongly against opposition from Asia and Europe.
The NSC has called on supporters across Nigeria to back the team as they begin their World Cup challenge in Berlin. Olopade said the players and coaching staff would need that encouragement during what could be a demanding group-stage campaign.
South Korea’s earlier victory over Nigeria at the qualifying tournament adds an extra competitive edge to the opening fixture. D’Tigress, however, will take confidence from their superior head-to-head record and their status as reigning African champions as they attempt to start the competition on a winning note.