South Korea end D’Tigress’ winning run with 77–60 victory

African champions Nigeria women’s national basketball team suffered a 77–60 defeat to the South Korea women’s national basketball team in their second game of the qualifying tournament for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Lyon, France, on Thursday. The match, played at the Astroballe Arena, ended Nigeria’s unbeaten run that stretched back to […]

African champions Nigeria women’s national basketball team suffered a 77–60 defeat to the South Korea women’s national basketball team in their second game of the qualifying tournament for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Lyon, France, on Thursday.

The match, played at the Astroballe Arena, ended Nigeria’s unbeaten run that stretched back to their quarter-final loss to the United States women’s national basketball team at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Head coach Rena Wakama kept faith with the same starting lineup that defeated the Colombia women’s national basketball team in the opening game. Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Promise Amukamara, Murjanatu Musa and Ezinne Kalu started the contest, but the Nigerian side struggled to contain South Korea’s effective perimeter shooting.

South Korea took the initiative early, knocking down long-range shots to edge the first quarter 20–16 as Nigeria struggled to match their shooting rhythm. The second quarter was more balanced, with both teams scoring 16 points each, but the Koreans maintained their lead to go into halftime ahead 36–32.

Victoria Macaulay carried Nigeria’s offence in the first half, contributing 15 of the team’s 32 points before the break. Okonkwo and Kalu added three points apiece as the D’Tigress stayed within reach of their opponents.

South Korea gradually pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring Nigeria 22–19 to extend their advantage to 58–51 heading into the final period. Nigeria’s hopes of mounting a comeback faded in the fourth quarter as their offence stalled, managing just nine points while the Koreans continued to capitalise on defensive lapses to secure a comfortable victory.

Macaulay finished as Nigeria’s standout performer with 22 points and six rebounds in 26 minutes. She shot 8-of-13 from the field and was perfect from beyond the arc, making all three attempts. Murjanatu Musa added 10 points and three rebounds for Nigeria.

South Korea’s long-range accuracy proved decisive as they drained 11 three-pointers and recorded 29 assists through impressive ball movement. Jihyun Park led the scoring with 22 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Leeseul Kang added 20 points, including five three-pointers.

Despite winning the rebounding battle 39–31, Nigeria were undone by 18 turnovers and their inability to contain South Korea’s perimeter shooting.

The D’Tigress had already secured qualification for the World Cup after winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, making their participation in the tournament largely aimed at improving ranking points.

Reacting to the defeat, promoter of the Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, Mark Igoche, urged the team to remain focused.

“Don’t let this one setback bring you down. As I always say, ‘Champions aren’t made in the wins, they’re made in the losses.’ You’ve got this! You’ve shown your strength against Colombia, and now it’s time to regroup and refocus.”

Igoche added, “‘Fall down 7 times, stand up 8.’ Let’s use this as fuel to propel us forward… The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Let’s rise, D’Tigress!”

Nigeria will face the Philippines women’s national basketball team on March 14 as they aim to bounce back in the tournament.