Macaulay scores 13 points as Nigeria’s D’Tigress crush Colombia 70-37 in FIBA World Cup qualifiers
Victoria Macaulay led the scoring with 13 points as Nigeria’s D’Tigress beat Colombia 70-37 in their opening game of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 qualifiers in France on Wednesday.
The reigning African champions clinched the first quarter 18:12 before losing 17-16 in the second quarter but still managed to secure a 34-29 halftime lead at the Astroballe sports arena in Lyon.
Nigeria came back into the second half more ruthless as the D’Tigress proceeded to score a total of 36 points in both the third and fourth quarters, while limiting Colombia to just eight at the same time.
The D’Tigress have already qualified for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 scheduled to take place in Germany in September as African champions. But the tournament can help the team to improve their FIBA ranking ahead of the tournament.
Nigeria will face South Korea in their second game of the tournament on Thursday. The country will then play Philippines on March 14, hosts France on March 15, and Germany on March 17, with the top three teams securing tickets to the World Cup.
Other countries who have also qualified for the tournament include Germany (host), the U.S. (Champions of America), Belgium (Champions of Europe) and Australia (Champions of Asia).
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
NBA Ibadan to boycott Oyo judiciary’s new legal year event
The branch said it unanimously reached the boycott decision at its general meeting convened on Saturday.
Heading 1
Under Buhari Nigeria was collapsing before Tinubu came as saviour: Shettima
Mr Shettima stated Nigerians should be kind towards Mr Tinubu.
States
Kano governor condoles NIPR chairman over father’s death
The governor urged the bereaved family to take solace in the good virtues and legacies left behind by the deceased.
![Vessels along Strait of Hormuz (Photo credit: Benoit Tessier/File Photo/Reuters]](https://gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/cxk79fQB.jpg)
World
Iran lists seven conditions to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Mr Ghalibaf said accepting the seven demands was the only way to reopen the oil passageway.
States
Two suspected cultists nabbed in Delta for alleged murder
Mr Edafe said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday by the command’s operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit.
Lagos
Tinubu visits Oba of Lagos, receives monarch’s counsel, prayers
Some APC stalwarts, political associates and other dignitaries were part of the visit.
