Turkey Edges D’Tigress 77–76 in Nail-Biting Friendly Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, suffered a narrow 77–76 defeat to Turkey in an intense international friendly on Friday in Istanbul.

The match served as a key preparation for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers.

The closely contested game came less than three months after D’Tigress celebrated a historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket title in Abidjan, underscoring the team’s continued dominance on the African continent. Facing one of Europe’s top basketball nations provided the African champions with a stern test of their skills, resilience, and tactical versatility.

Despite the loss, D’Tigress displayed moments of brilliance, with strong defensive sequences and quick offensive transitions that kept the match competitive until the final buzzer. Observers noted that the game offered head coach an opportunity to assess player combinations and strategies ahead of the crucial qualifiers.

The defeat, by a single point, highlights the fine margins at the elite international level and serves as a reminder of the improvements needed as Nigeria aims to make a mark on the global stage.

Fans and analysts alike praised the team’s fighting spirit, suggesting that the narrow loss could serve as a valuable learning experience.

D’Tigress will continue their training camp in Turkey before returning home to finalize preparations for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, where they are expected to carry the hopes of the nation.