Junior D’Tigress Fall to Portugal, Avoid USA in Round of 16
Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress suffered a 61–79 loss to Portugal in their third group match at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup in Brno, Czech Republic , marking their second straight defeat in the tournament.
The team previously lost 42–113 to Canada on Sunday, leaving them with a 1–2 record in the group stage.
Despite the losses, Nigeria finished third in Group B , which allows them to avoid a Round of 16 clash with the United States , the defending champions.
Instead, they will face the runners-up from Group A , which includes Hungary, Israel , and South Korea , with the exact opponent to be confirmed.
Beggi and Nweke Shine Amid Defeat
Idumagbo Beggi led Nigeria’s scoring with 17 points , while Toby Nweke added 16 in the game against Portugal.
Their efforts kept Nigeria competitive in the first half, but Portugal pulled away in the second, showing greater consistency and experience.
Coach Juliana Negedu ’s side showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with turnovers and defensive lapses in key moments.
Still, their performance has given fans hope for the future of women’s basketball in Nigeria.
Nigeria Advances to Round of 16 Despite Setbacks
Despite the two losses, Nigeria qualifies for the knockout stage due to their win over China in their second match.
That victory gave them a fighting chance to move forward in the tournament and avoid the United States, who topped Group B.
The Round of 16 match will be played on Wednesday , with a possible quarter-final clash against Canada or Brazil .
Nigeria’s placement ensures they get a brief reprieve before facing another tough opponent.
Coach Negedu’s Squad Eyes Redemption in Knockout Stage
Coach Juliana Negedu and her team now have a chance to regroup and refocus for the next phase of the tournament.
“We’ve seen our weaknesses and we’ve also seen our strengths,” Negedu said after the Portugal match.
She urged her players to stay positive and prepare for Wednesday’s knockout tie.
“This is not the end of our journey—it’s a new beginning.”
Fans are already rallying behind the team, urging them to bounce back and make Nigeria proud.
Call to Action: Share Your Thoughts!
How can Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress improve ahead of the Round of 16? Who do you think they should target next?
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