South Korea ended Nigeria’s eight-game competitive winning streak with a commanding 77–60 victory over the African champions in their second outing at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne, France on Thursday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The defeat marked D’Tigress’ first competitive loss since falling to the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympics and halted the momentum built during an unbeaten run that culminated in their triumph at the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket.
It also provided a stern test for coach Rena Wakama’s side barely 24 hours after they opened the tournament with a resounding 70–37 win over Colombia.
South Korea, who had themselves suffered a heavy 76–49 defeat to Germany in their opening game of the qualifying event, responded with an energetic and tactically disciplined performance to revive their campaign at the Astroballe arena.
The contest began in balanced fashion with Nigeria briefly taking the initiative through early baskets from Murjanatu Musa and Victoria Macaulay, but Korea gradually asserted control as the first quarter progressed.
Their ball movement and perimeter shooting began to stretch Nigeria’s defence and they edged the opening period 20–16.
Nigeria stabilised in the second quarter and briefly threatened a comeback. Macaulay knocked down a pair of three-pointers while Nicole Enabosi’s presence on the boards helped the Africans stay within touching distance. The quarter ended level at 16–16, leaving Korea with a narrow 36–32 advantage at half-time.
The game’s defining stretch came in the third quarter when Korea produced a decisive scoring burst that shifted the momentum firmly in their favour. Led by Jihyun Park and Leeseul Kang, the Asians punished a series of Nigerian turnovers and quickly opened up a double-digit lead.
Park, who finished with a game-high 22 points, proved particularly influential during this phase, draining a three-pointer and repeatedly attacking the basket to extend the gap. Korea outscored Nigeria 22–19 in the third period to carry a 58–51 lead into the final quarter.
Nigeria struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm in the closing period as Korea tightened their defensive pressure and continued to capitalise on transition opportunities. A decisive 15–0 scoring run midway through the game had already created a cushion, and by the fourth quarter the Koreans were firmly in control.
The final period saw Korea dominate proceedings, outscoring Nigeria 19–9 as the African champions’ challenge faded. Turnovers proved costly for Wakama’s side, with Korea converting them into a steady stream of points. The Asians scored 33 points directly from turnovers compared to Nigeria’s 14, which underlines the efficiency of their transition play.
Nigeria will attempt to regroup quickly when they face the Philippines in their third game on Saturday in the opening fixture of the day, while Korea will meet Colombia later the same evening as both teams seek to strengthen their chances in the qualifying standings.
Although D’Tigress have already secured a place at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup by virtue of winning the Women’s AfroBasket 2025 title, the qualifiers provide an invaluable opportunity to test their depth and tactical flexibility against international opposition.
The five-game tournament, running from 11 to 17 March, sees the top two teams joining hosts Germany and AfroBasket champions Nigeria at the 2026 World Cup.
