"D’Tigress Have No Ceiling", Okonkwo Insists Despite World Cup Opening Day Defeat

Amy Okonkwo remains confident in D’Tigress’ ability to make another deep run on the international stage despite their disappointing start to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

Nigeria opened their World Cup campaign with a 99-81 defeat to South Korea in Berlin on Friday, but Okonkwo insists the loss will not define the team’s tournament.

The D’Tigress forward believes Nigeria’s impressive run at the 2024 Paris Olympics was only a glimpse of what the team can achieve.

“I believe in this team with my whole heart,” Okonkwo said after the defeat. “I think in 2024 that was just a glimpse of what we are capable of. I think that there is no ceiling for us.”

Nigeria reached the quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics, where they became the first African basketball team, men’s or women’s, to reach the last eight of an Olympic basketball tournament.

Despite the setback against South Korea, Okonkwo called for a quick response from D’Tigress, stressing that there is little time to dwell on the result.

“This is just one game and tomorrow is another opportunity to show the world what we are capable of,” she added. “Tomorrow we will come out and fight just like we did today.”

Nigeria will have little time to recover, with Hungary waiting in their second Group B fixture on Saturday. The Hungarians are returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

After the opening defeat, D’Tigress will need a response against Hungary to keep their hopes of progressing from Group B alive.