AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s D’Tigress suffered an 89–63 loss to Los Angeles Sparks in their opening game of a three-match United States tour at Viejas Arena on Saturday.
The fixture, which marked the first time an African national team faced a WNBA side, exposed the challenges facing the Nigerian team as they continue a rebuilding process with a youthful squad.
With head coach Rena Wakama unavailable due to her role with the Chicago Sky, assistant coach Wani Muganguzi took charge as D’Tigress struggled to match the tempo and organisation of their opponents.
The Sparks asserted dominance from the outset, racing to a 27–17 lead in the first quarter before extending it to 44–29 at the break.
Their efficiency in shooting and ability to punish turnovers proved decisive, finishing with nearly 50 per cent accuracy from the field while forcing repeated errors from the Nigerian side.
D’Tigress were undone by 24 turnovers, which the Sparks converted into 26 points, while also holding a clear edge in assists, reflecting stronger team cohesion.
Although Nigeria found some success in the paint, scoring 30 points in that area, their poor three-point shooting and inconsistent ball movement limited any chance of a comeback.
The gap widened further in the third quarter as the Sparks stretched their lead beyond 30 points and maintained control through to the final whistle.
The tour is part of preparations for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with the Nigerian federation focusing on integrating a new generation of players, many of whom are based in the U.S. college system.
Among the standout prospects is Oluchi Okananwa, alongside a group of emerging talents being assessed as the team builds depth for future competitions.
Several squad members, including Suzie Rafiu, Regina Donanu, Jerni Kiaku and Vera Ojenuwa, were not utilised in the game, highlighting the experimental approach adopted by the coaching staff.
Experienced figures such as Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara remain part of the setup and are expected to guide the younger players through the transition.
D’Tigress will now shift focus to their next fixture against Minnesota Lynx in the early hours of Tuesday, where they will aim to deliver a more cohesive performance.
