African champions, Nigeria D’Tigress, lost narrowly 77-76 to Turkiye in an international friendly at the Turkcell Basketball Development Centre in Istanbul on Friday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Coach Rena Wakama named a starting lineup featuring Sarah Ogoke, Grace Efosa, Nicole Enabosi, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, and Rita Igbokwe, combining experience with emerging talent.
Turkey struck first in the opening quarter, but Nigeria responded well, edging ahead 15-14. The D’Tigress maintained their momentum in the second quarter, outscoring the hosts 30-25 to take a 45-39 lead into halftime.
The third quarter, however, saw Turkiye regain control, putting up 22 points to Nigeria’s 12 and shifting the momentum heading into the final period. The D’Tigress fought back in the fourth quarter, scoring 19 points to the hosts’ 16, but a late basket from Sergi Uzun proved decisive as Turkiye sealed a 77-76 win.
Despite the defeat, the Nigerian side showed encouraging signs, with new additions Igbokwe and Efosa integrating well alongside established figures like Ogoke, Enabosi, and Kunaiyi-Akpanah.
The friendly forms part of Nigeria’s preparation for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers. The D’Tigress will compete in Lyon-Villeurbanne, France, from March 11 to 17, 2026, as they continue building toward the World Cup.