●African champions draw Germany, France
By Pius Ayinor
The Nigeria Basketball Federation has announced a 17-player preliminary roster for the reigning Afrobasket champions D’Tigress, ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
The roster of D’Tigress stars, including Ezinne Kalu, Elizabeth Balogun, and Promise Amukamara, was selected by award-winning coach Rena Wakama.
There are also Pius Beggi Idubano, Nicole Enabosi, Victoria Macaulay, Grace Efosa, Amy Okonkwo, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunayi, and Okoro Ifunaya. The others are Wandoo Hembam, Adenike Olawuyi, Sarah Ogoke, Ayomide Tewogbade, Rita Igbokwe, and Blessing Ejiofor.
In the draws held Tuesday in Mies, Switzerland, Nigeria has been placed in the Lyon-Villeurbanne group alongside hosts France, Germany, Colombia, South Korea, and the Philippines.
Nigeria heads into the qualifiers as one of the four continental champions, alongside Australia, Belgium,m and the USA.
Nigeria begins its quest for one of the top three tickets in the group, with the opening game against Colombia on March 11th, followed by consecutive matches against South Korea (March 12th); Philippines (March 14th); France (March 15th), and Germany (March 17th).
The competition will be held from March 11 to 18 across four centres: Lyon-Villeurbanne (France), Wuhan (China), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Istanbul (Turkey).
It would feature 24 nations competing for 16 top spots at the main event, which is billed to be held in September in Berlin, Germany.
Photo: D’Tigress in a file photograph.
Extrasportnigeria 
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