Nigeria women’s basketball head coach Rena Wakama has unveiled a 17-player provisional squad ahead of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournament set to take place from March 11 to 17 in Lyon, France, MySportDab Reports.
The African champions will face a tough challenge in the qualifying series, competing against host nation France, Germany, South Korea, Colombia, and the Philippines for a place in the next stage. Only the top three teams will advance.
Wakama has selected a well-balanced roster blending youth and experience as D’Tigress look to continue their impressive rise on the global stage.
The squad is headlined by key players including Ezinne Kalu, Elizabeth Balogun, and Promise Amukamara. Other notable inclusions are Nicole Enabosi, Victoria Macaulay, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunayi-Akpannah, Amy Okonkwo, Grace Efosa, and Sarah Ogoke.
Rita Igbokwe, Ifunaya Okoro, Wandoo Hemba, Adenike Olawuyi, Blessing Ejiofor, Ayomide Tewogbade Mololuwa, and Pius Beggi Idubano also earned call-ups for the crucial tournament.
Nigeria will open their campaign against Colombia on March 11 before facing South Korea a day later. They will then take on the Philippines, hosts France, and Germany in their remaining fixtures.
D’Tigress head into the qualifiers with confidence after securing a historic fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket title in 2025, defeating Mali 78–64 in the final in Abidjan.