France finish top of Group B for di 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup afta dem crush African champions Nigeria 111-56 for Berlin, comot D’Tigress hand empty for group phase. Di Nigerian side never settle as di French show dem quality and tempo from di opening tip.
France score 31 points for first quarter and 34 for second to lead 65-26 at half-time, then dem add 30 for third before dem cool down for final period. Dem long-range shooting prove decisive, as Gabby Williams and Marine Johannes combine for eight of eleven from beyond di arc for first half wey France make 14 three-pointers.
D’Tigress captain Amy Okonkwo accept di gap between di two sides. “We just struggle to find our rhythm early and no fit win or really stop dem,” she tok.
Head coach Rena Wakama say di current squad no fit lean on di success of di Paris 2024 Olympic team. “Plenti people see wetin we do for 2024, and di reality of where we dey today be say we dey for rebuilding process,” she tok, point to several French players wey be WNBA starters wey dey playoff form.
Wakama single out Grace Efosa, wey score 15 points for around 20 minutes from di bench, and stress say rebuilding for di 2028 Los Angeles Olympics must start with fielding di country best available talent. “Dis na di best time to dey part of women’s basketball specifically,” she add.
