D’Tigress Crash Out of FIBA World Cup Without a Win After Heavy France Defeat

Nigeria’s D’Tigress have been eliminated from the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after suffering a heavy 111-56 defeat to France in their final Group B game in Berlin on Monday.

The result marked the third consecutive defeat for the reigning African champions, who had earlier lost to South Korea and Hungary, leaving them at the bottom of Group B without a victory.

France took control from the opening minutes, racing to a 31-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The French team continued their dominance in the second quarter, adding 34 points while restricting Nigeria to just 13 to take a commanding 65-26 lead into halftime.

France further extended the gap in the third quarter, scoring 30 points to move 95-36 ahead going into the final period.

D’Tigress showed some improvement in the fourth quarter, scoring 17 points to France’s 16, but the damage had already been done as the French side secured a 55-point victory.

Efosa-Aguebo was Nigeria’s leading scorer with 15 points after coming off the bench, while Balogun contributed 11 points.

Igbokwe recorded nine rebounds, while Amy Okonkwo finished with eight rebounds and a team-high three assists.

France also produced an outstanding shooting performance, making 22 three-pointers during the game.

Nigeria had opened its campaign with an 81-99 defeat to South Korea before suffering another setback against Hungary, losing 71-67 in a closely contested encounter.

The Rena Wakama-led D’Tigress entered the tournament as reigning African champions after winning a fifth consecutive continental title.

The team had also built on its recent international progress by reaching the quarter-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, Nigeria could not replicate that form in Berlin, finishing the World Cup group stage with three defeats from three games.

Monday’s heavy loss to France brought D’Tigress’ 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign to an end.