Nigeria's women's basketball team, D'Tigress, commenced their 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament campaign with an emphatic 70-37 victory over Colombia in Lyon, France. The reigning African champions showcased their prowess by controlling the game from start to finish, demonstrating strong defense and balanced scoring against their South American counterparts. This dominant performance further cemented their reputation on the international stage.

D'Tigress established an early lead, concluding the first quarter with an 18-12 advantage due to a solid defensive display. While Colombia attempted a comeback in the second quarter, briefly threatening to reduce the deficit, Nigeria maintained their composure, heading into halftime with a narrow 34-29 lead. The turning point occurred after the break, as Nigeria intensified their play, executing a decisive scoring run that shifted the game's momentum completely. By the end of the third quarter, D'Tigress had extended their lead significantly to 53-34, leaving Colombia unable to keep pace.

The final quarter was largely one-sided, with Nigeria dominating both offensive and defensive ends of the court. They restricted Colombia to a mere three points in the quarter while adding 17 points themselves, sealing a convincing 33-point victory. Nigeria led for over 33 minutes of the game, with their largest advantage reaching 34 points late in the fourth quarter. Colombia's only lead in the contest was a brief three-point advantage early on.

Several key players contributed to Nigeria's success. Guard Ifunanya Okoro delivered an impressive all-round performance, recording 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals in just over 28 minutes, achieving a +29 rating during Nigeria's most dominant periods. Forward Nicole Enabosi was instrumental in controlling the boards, securing a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, alongside five assists in under 24 minutes. Victoria Macaulay, coming off the bench, provided crucial scoring impetus, shooting an efficient five-of-six from the field to contribute 13 points and six rebounds in just over 14 minutes. Colombia's efforts were led by Mabel Martinez, their top scorer with six points, but they ultimately struggled to match Nigeria's depth.

This victory marks a strong beginning for D'Tigress in the qualifying tournament. Although Nigeria had already secured their spot at the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup by winning their fifth consecutive AfroBasket title in 2025, the tournament in Lyon provides an invaluable opportunity for the team to refine their tactics and strategies in preparation for the global competition scheduled for September.