African champions Nigeria women’s national basketball team have switched their attention to South Korea after opening their campaign at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualification Tournament with a commanding victory over Colombia women’s national basketball team in Lyon, France.

 

D’Tigress delivered a championship-level performance on Wednesday, overpowering Colombia with a 33-point margin to record a convincing 70–37 win in their first game of the tournament.

 

The team, coached by Rena Wakama, dominated the contest from the first quarter through to the fourth, controlling both ends of the court to seal the emphatic victory.

 

Forward Victoria Macaulay emerged as the game’s Most Valuable Player after an impressive outing that saw her record 13 points, six rebounds and one assist.

 

With the games coming in quick succession, the Nigerian side has now shifted focus to their next encounter against South Korea women’s national basketball team scheduled for Thursday.

 

The Koreans, who are familiar opponents to the Nigerian side, will be aiming to bounce back after suffering defeat in their opening game against Germany women’s national basketball team.

 

Historically, Nigeria and South Korea have faced each other twice, both meetings coming during Olympic qualifying tournaments in 2016 and 2004. Nigeria won both encounters narrowly, recording a 70–69 victory in 2016 and a 68–64 win in 2004.

 

Despite Nigeria’s superior head-to-head record, the Koreans are expected to pose a strong challenge when both teams clash at the Astroballe Arena.

 

D’Tigress point guard Elizabeth Balogun, who recorded an impressive 7.4 rating in the game against Colombia, acknowledged that South Korea will present a tougher test but expressed confidence in the team’s readiness.

 

“We respect every opponent we come across and the Koreans are particularly very athletic, which is one of their major strengths, but we will not take them for granted at all,” she said.