France head coach Jean-Aimé Toupane has warned his side against underestimating Nigeria’s D’Tigress ahead of their meeting in Group B of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, insisting the African champions remain a formidable opponent despite recent results, The PUNCH reports.
The draw in Berlin placed Nigeria alongside France, South Korea and Hungary, with Les Bleues widely tipped to top the group and advance directly to the quarter-finals. However, Toupane has urged caution, particularly given the growing familiarity between his side and D’Tigress.
France defeated Nigeria 93-86 during the qualifying tournament in Lyon-Villeurbanne and also overcame South Korea, results that have reinforced their status as one of the favourites for a podium finish.
But speaking to FIBA after the draw, Toupane stressed that past victories would offer no guarantees at the global showpiece, noting that all teams at this level possess quality and experience.
‘Knowing who we’re going to play is important, but as we know, at this level all the teams are strong, so we need to stay focused’, he said.
He warned that familiarity could, in fact, make the contest more difficult, highlighting the dangers of complacency against opponents they have recently faced.
‘We mustn’t lose our focus just because we’ve recently played Nigeria and Korea. Facing a team you’ve beaten recently is never easy. We need to maintain the same level of seriousness, the same determination, and the same ambition to have a great tournament’, Toupane added.
The French coach also acknowledged the challenge posed specifically by Nigeria, describing their encounters as consistently demanding.
‘The advantage is that we know them. But they know us too. It’s never easy to play Nigeria. This will be the third competition in a row where we face them, it’s always very tough. They’re a very strong team, led by a great coach’, he said.
Nigeria, who were seeded in pot two, avoided a more difficult draw featuring teams such as the United States and Australia, but still face a demanding group campaign.
They will open their World Cup against South Korea on 4 September, before facing Hungary a day later and concluding the group stage against France on 7 September.
While France are favourites to top the group, Toupane also highlighted the threat posed by other opponents, including South Korea’s dynamic playing style and Hungary’s emerging talent.
‘Korea are never easy either. They have an unusual style of play, very dynamic, with a lot of accuracy from the outside’, he said.
France, currently ranked second in the world and silver medallists at the 2024 Olympic Games, are targeting a return to the podium at the World Cup, having not secured a medal in the competition since 1953.
Toupane reiterated his team’s ambitions, while emphasising the need for focus and preparation ahead of the tournament.
‘That’s our ambition. Now, there’s a difference between wanting it and achieving it. But we’re not making excuses, we truly have the ambition, with this group, to build something, to write a story together, and to experience a great journey’, he said.
The African champions have already begun preparations, opening camp in Los Angeles ahead of a series of high-profile exhibition games in the United States as they build towards the tournament.
