LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Nigeria’s D’Tigress opened their 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign with a tough 99–81 defeat to South Korea in Berlin, despite a standout performance from captain Amy Okonkwo, who delivered 22 points and seven rebounds in a spirited display that kept Nigeria competitive throughout long stretches of the contest.
South Korea’s relentless offensive tempo proved difficult to contain, as the Asian side pulled away in the second half to secure an 18‑point victory.
The result extends Nigeria’s wait for a first‑ever win over an Asian opponent at the Women’s World Cup and continues their run of opening‑game defeats at the global tournament.
Okonkwo’s leadership was evident from tip‑off.
The captain attacked the rim aggressively, knocked down mid‑range shots with confidence, and battled on the boards to keep Nigeria within reach.
Her scoring bursts repeatedly halted Korean momentum, offering D’Tigress a lifeline whenever the gap threatened to widen.
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Forward Murjanatu Musa also delivered a strong showing, posting a 15‑point, 13‑rebound double‑double in just 20 minutes.
Her physical presence in the paint gave Nigeria second‑chance opportunities and helped slow Korea’s interior offense, but the collective effort was not enough to overturn the opponent’s hot shooting.
The defeat leaves Nigeria with significant work ahead as they prepare for their next Group Phase matchup against Hungary.
The fixture is also expected to present another stern test for the African champions.
To keep their World Cup hopes alive, the Rena Wakama led team will need a sharper defensive outing and another commanding performance from leaders like Amy Okonkwo and Murjanatu Musa.
