Photo: D’Tigress

D’Tigress head coach Rena Wakama has named her final 12-player squad for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne, France.

The qualifying tournament will run from March 11 to 17, with Nigeria set to face France, the Philippines, Colombia, Germany and South Korea during the series.

Wakama has largely retained the core of players who powered D’Tigress to their historic continental dominance.

Eleven members of the squad were part of the team that defeated Mali women’s national basketball team in Abidjan to secure a fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title, reinforcing Nigeria’s status as the dominant force in African women’s basketball.

The final squad was selected from a 17-player provisional list released on February 25 as preparations intensified for the qualifiers.

Players named in the squad include Ezinne Kalu, Promise Amukamara, Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Blessing Ejiofor, Nicole Enabosi and Ifunnaya Okoro.

Others on the roster are Pallas Kunayi-Akpannah, Victoria Macaulay, Sarah Ogoke, Murjanatu Musa and Rita Igbokwe.

Nigeria will open their campaign against Colombia on March 11 before facing South Korea the following day. D’Tigress will then meet the Philippines on March 14 after a two-day break, followed by a clash against hosts France on March 15. The team will conclude their fixtures against Germany on March 17.

(Source: Business Day)

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a new date for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

In a statement published on its website on Thursday, CAF shifted the tournament from its initial March schedule to a new window between July and August.

The competition, which Morocco secured the rights to host in October 2024, will now run from July 25 to August 16, following consultations between CAF, FIFA and other key stakeholders involved in organising the event.The tournament was originally scheduled to take place from March 17 to April 3.

CAF said that the change in dates was necessary to ensure the smooth organisation of the continent’s flagship women’s football competition.

“After discussions between CAF and its partners, FIFA and other stakeholders, CAF decided to reschedule the dates of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 to 25 July – 16 August 2026 to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances,” the organisation said.

FIFA has officially confirmed the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) as Africa’s representative in the inter-confederation play-off tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, effectively closing the door on Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ chances of reaching the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The decision, announced as part of the final list of participating teams in the play-off bracket, includes DR Congo alongside Bolivia, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname.

The six teams will compete in a mini-tournament later this month for the two remaining qualification spots.DR Congo earned their place by defeating Nigeria’s Super Eagles 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in the CAF play-off final in Rabat, Morocco, on November 16, 2025.

The Leopards advanced as the best runner-up from the African qualifiers.

Nigeria’s Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had lodged a protest with FIFA in December 2025, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players—citing dual nationality issues under Congolese law for individuals like Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe.

Despite the review, FIFA’s inclusion of DR Congo in the confirmed line-up signals that the complaint was not upheld or did not alter the qualification outcome.

This marks the second consecutive World Cup that Nigeria will miss, following their absence from the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

The Super Eagles, featuring stars such as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, had high expectations but faltered in the qualifiers, finishing second in their group behind South Africa before the playoff heartbreak.

Fans and analysts have expressed disappointment, with calls for reforms in the Nigeria Football Federation amid ongoing questions about administration, player management, and campaign strategy.

DR Congo now turns focus to the inter-confederation play-offs, where a strong performance could secure their first-ever World Cup appearance.

The tournament is scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico.