Nigeria’s D’Tigress suffered a disappointing start to their 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign after falling 99-81 to South Korea in their opening Group B fixture in Berlin, Germany, on Friday.

The reigning African champions made a promising start and stayed within touching distance of their opponents through the opening half, but South Korea produced a decisive second-half performance to pull away and secure victory.

South Korea edged the opening quarter 26-22 before Nigeria responded strongly in the second period, outscoring their opponents 23-22 to reduce the deficit.

The Nigerian side entered the half-time interval with momentum and a one-point advantage, setting the stage for what appeared to be a closely contested second half.

However, the complexion of the game changed after the break.

South Korea tightened their grip in the third quarter, winning the period 20-17, before producing their most dominant offensive display in the final quarter.

The Koreans exploded for 31 points in the fourth quarter, while Nigeria managed just 19, allowing South Korea to turn a competitive contest into an 18-point victory.

The final quarter ultimately proved decisive as Nigeria struggled to contain South Korea’s offensive pressure and could not reproduce the intensity that had kept them in contention during the opening two periods.

The defeat will come as a setback for D’Tigress, who entered the tournament with considerable expectations after a strong run on the international stage in recent years.

Nigeria qualified for the World Cup as champions of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, where they defeated Mali 78-64 in the final. FIBA also notes that D’Tigress reached the quarter-finals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, while their best-ever Women’s World Cup finish remains eighth place at the 2018 tournament in Tenerife. 

The loss to South Korea is also particularly significant because the Asian side had defeated Nigeria during the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Lyon earlier this year. FIBA recorded Korea’s 77-60 victory over D’Tigress during that qualifying campaign. 

With the opening defeat behind them, head coach Rena Wakama and her players must quickly regroup as they face Hungary in their second Group B game on Saturday, September 5.

The Nigeria-Hungary encounter is scheduled for the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, with both teams looking to strengthen their position in a competitive Group B that also includes France and South Korea. 

For D’Tigress, the immediate objective will be to produce a much-improved defensive performance and maintain their intensity for all four quarters as they attempt to revive their World Cup campaign.

Quarter Scores

South Korea 26-22 Nigeria

South Korea 22-23 Nigeria

South Korea 20-17 Nigeria

South Korea 31-19 Nigeria

Final: South Korea 99-81 Nigeria

Next Match: Nigeria vs Hungary

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026

Competition: FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup – Group B

Venue: Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany