Mali fall 102-97 to Japan on Friday for dia opening game of di FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup for Berlin, Germany, one tournament wey go run till 13 September. Di Maliennes control di first three quarters before Japan fight back to take di win for di closing minutes. Japan's Hayashi finish as di match top scorer wit 27 points, to give her country first win for di competition.
Mali dey Group A wit hosts Germany and Spain, wey dem see as tough opponents. Di Maliennes go back to action on Saturday against di Spanish side.
Nigeria, di reigning African champions, go also start dia campaign on Saturday against Hungary for Group B, wey also get South Korea and France. Di D'Tigress, wey win fifth continental title for 2025 and dey eighth for world rankings, go dey led by Amy Okonkwo, two-time MVP for di last AfroBasket, and guard Promise Amukamara.
Di United States, wey dey chase fifth straight world title, na di favourites. Di Americans never lose for World Cup since di 2006 semi-finals, even though dem go dey without Kelsey Plum and A'ja Wilson, di latter dem name MVP of di Paris Olympic tournament. Sixteen nations dey compete across four groups of four, wit di top team for each pool go advance directly to di quarter-finals on 10 September. Second- and third-placed sides go play play-offs on 8 and 9 September. Semi-finals dey set for 12 September, wit di final set for 13 September for Berlin.
