Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, will go into this afternoon’s opening 2026 World Cup game against South Korea confident of exacting revenge on the side that defeated them during the qualifiers.

The Group B game will start at 1.30 p.m. at Uner Arena in Berlin with Amy Okonkwo and her mates facing a team that have improved tremendously over the years. But the Nigerian girls say that they are not bothered by the Asians’ growing reputation.

The World Cup, which tips off today and ends on September 13, features 16 of the world’s best teams. The early stage will be held in group format, with the best two from each group qualifying for the second round.

After South Korea, D’Tigress will face Hungary tomorrow at the same venue, after which they will go out against world number two, France, on September 7 in their last match of the first round fixtures.

South Korea defeated Nigeria 77-60 during the qualification series, and also lost 93-86 to France in the same qualifiers, meaning that the Rena Wakama-led team must be at their best to make it out of Group B.

Other matches slated for today include the Group A game between Japan and Mali, Australia versus Portugal in Group C, U.S. versus China in Group D, Belgium and Turkey in Group C, Spain versus Germany in Group A, Czech Republic against Italy in Group D and a Group B game involving Hungary and France.

Looking ahead to a favourable, but tough campaign in Berlin, D’Tigress’ star, Ezinne Kalu, said that the team is ready to battle against the tough opponents to the last drop of blood.

She said: “We need our people there to support us. We need every Nigerian near Berlin to come through. Bring your flag, your voice and energy.”

Apart from Kalu, the other players in D’Tigress’ roster are Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Promise Amukamara, Murjanatu Musa, Rita Igbokwe, Jordan Obi, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah and Victoria Macaulay.

Also in the team are Grace Efosa-Aguebor, Ifunanya Okoro, Nora Ezike, Nicole Enabosi, Uche Izoje, Maryam Dauda, Gabby White and Idubamo Beggi.

The D’Tigress are ranked 10th in the latest FIBA Women’s World Cup Power Rankings released ahead of the tournament, two spots lower than their previous eighth position.