Villeurbanne, France - Nigeria’s senior women's basketball team, D’Tigress, opened their FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament campaign with a commanding 70–37 victory over Colombia in Villeurbanne, France. The reigning African champions overcame a competitive first half at the Astroballe arena, utilizing a massive second-half surge to dismantle their South American opponents and secure a vital win in their pursuit of improved global ranking points.
The contest began with a back-and-forth opening quarter, as Colombia utilized sharp perimeter shooting from Mabel Martinez and Manuela Munoz to establish an early rhythm. Nigeria remained within striking distance behind the physical interior play of Promise Amukamara and Murjanatu Musa, ending the first period with an 18–12 lead. The intensity shifted in the second quarter as Colombia staged a mini-comeback; a spectacular Euro-step from Carolina Lopez and a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Maria Gonzalez saw the South Americans take the quarter 17–16, though Nigeria maintained a narrow 34–29 cushion at the halftime break.
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The second half proved to be a decisive turning point, as Nigeria emerged with a renewed defensive ferocity. Victoria Macaulay, who finished as the game’s high scorer with 13 points, dominated the floor during a ruthless third-quarter stretch, shooting a perfect percentage during Nigeria’s initial run. D’Tigress held Colombia to just five points in the third period and a mere three points in the fourth, turning a slim halftime advantage into a 33-point blowout. The Nigerian defense, anchored by Nicole Enabosi’s double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds, forced a series of turnovers that fueled a late-game offensive explosion.
In the final minutes, D’Tigress maintained their relentless momentum with crucial baskets from Elizabeth Balogun and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, the latter of whom also provided a dominant presence on the boards and recorded two key blocks. Guard Ifunanya Okoro added 10 points and a team-high +29 plus/minus rating, sealing a victory that extends Nigeria’s current winning streak to six matches. Following this emphatic opener, Nigeria now shifts its focus to a challenging encounter against South Korea, looking to maintain their perfect record in the France-based qualifying tournament.
