By Dorcas Francis Koji
D’Tigress guard Ezinne Kalu has called on Nigerians living in and around Berlin, Germany, to turn out in numbers and support the national team as they begin their campaign at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Kalu, 34, is preparing for her second World Cup appearance with Nigeria after establishing herself as one of the team’s most experienced players over the past decade.
She made her breakthrough with the national team at the 2016 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament and has since played a key role in Nigeria’s remarkable dominance of women’s basketball in Africa.
The veteran guard has been part of five consecutive Women’s AfroBasket-winning teams, helping Nigeria claim continental titles in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025.
Kalu also featured at the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain, averaging 10.6 points, three rebounds and 4.1 assists per game as D’Tigress advanced to the quarter-finals.
Ahead of the tournament in Germany, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls player appealed to Nigerians in Berlin to create a strong home-like atmosphere for the team.
“We are heading to Berlin for the World Cup, and we need our people there to support us. So we need every Nigerian near Berlin to come through. Bring your flag, your voice and energy,” Kalu said.
D’Tigress enter the global tournament with considerable confidence after successfully defending their Women’s AfroBasket crown in 2025.
Nigeria defeated Mali 78-64 in the final to secure a record-extending fifth consecutive continental title, further underlining their dominance in African women’s basketball.
The team also made history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by becoming the first African basketball team, male or female, to reach the Olympic quarter-finals.
Nigeria qualified for the 2026 World Cup after winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket. They subsequently featured in the World Cup qualifying tournament in Lyon-Villeurbanne, France, where they recorded three defeats in five games.
The upcoming competition will mark D’Tigress’ third appearance at the Women’s Basketball World Cup, following previous outings in 2006 and 2018.
Their best performance came at the 2018 edition, where they reached the quarter-finals and finished eighth overall.
D’Tigress will open their 2026 World Cup campaign against South Korea on Friday before facing Hungary on Saturday. They will round off the group stage against France on Monday.
With a strong blend of experience and emerging talent, Kalu believes the support of Nigerians in Germany could provide an important boost as D’Tigress seek another memorable run on the world stage.
Leave a comment