Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, Nigeria women’s national basketball team, popularly known as D’Tigress, suffered a narrow 93–86 defeat to host nation France women’s national basketball team at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Lyon on Sunday.

The African champions delivered a spirited second-half performance but were unable to overturn their early deficit against the hosts, who were backed by a passionate home crowd.

After a slow start in the first half, the Nigerian side bounced back strongly, winning the third quarter 21–15 and holding France to a tight contest in the fourth quarter, which ended 21–20.

Their late push kept fans inside the Villeurbanne Sports Arena on edge as France struggled to maintain their lead.

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Captain Amy Okonkwo, returning from a lengthy injury layoff, led Nigeria’s scoring with 16 points and two rebounds.

She was supported by Elizabeth Balogun and Mujarnatu Musa, who both recorded 15 points, while Ezinne Kaluadded 14 points to keep the contest competitive throughout the game.

Despite the defeat, head coach Rena Wakama praised her players for their determination and fighting spirit.

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“ I am super proud of my team .if you want to beat the top teams , you have to be able to capitalise on this type of games”.

“ Obvious credit to the french team, they are a great team and I have a great team too. I can assure you that we will continue to grow and continue to learn as we aim towards our ultimate target”.

“ If no one believes us I believe in us and that is one belief we all have in the locker room. So once again, credit to the team”.

Okonkwo also reflected on the challenge of facing the hosts in front of a packed French crowd.

“ This is not the first time we are playing France in France. We played them at the Olympics here in France and we have also played them previously before the Olympics”.

“ To be fair, we are used to that factor but as a team we know what is expected of us and we know we have to stay together when the crowd are doing their thing. We keep fighting and sticking with each other and that is what we do always.”

The qualifying tournament will conclude on Tuesday, when D’Tigress face Germany women’s national basketball teamat 5 p.m. Nigerian time in another crucial fixture.