D’Tigress Set For Historic Preseason Clash With Los Angeles Sparks In US Tour

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, will take on the Los Angeles Sparks in a landmark preseason fixture during their upcoming tour of the United States.

The game, announced by the WNBA side, is scheduled for April 25 at Viejas Arena. It marks the first time an African national team will face a WNBA franchise. It will also be the first meeting between both sides.

“The Sparks will open preseason play on Saturday, April 25 at 12 p.m., hosting the Nigerian Women’s National Team at Viejas Arena on the campus of San Diego State University,” the club stated.

The fixture carries added significance for the Sparks, who will be returning to San Diego for the first time since May 2010, when they defeated the Chinese national team 78-58 in the city’s first WNBA game.

The outing reinforces D’Tigress’ rise on the international stage. The team arrives in the US as reigning African champions after securing a record fifth consecutive AfroBasket title.

The tour forms part of preparations sanctioned by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBF) ahead of a demanding international calendar.

Two days after facing the Sparks, Nigeria will meet the Minnesota Lynx on April 27 at the T-Mobile Centre in Kansas City. The Lynx’s preseason schedule also includes games against the Washington Mystics and expansion side Toronto Tempo.

The Lynx clash will be only the fourth time a WNBA team has played against an international side. D’Tigress, however, are familiar with elite American opposition, having previously faced the United States national team at major tournaments.

The US tour is part of Nigeria’s build-up to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, set to take place in Berlin from September 4 to 13. The draw will be held on April 21 at Kraftwerk Berlin.

D’Tigress recorded mixed results during the March qualifying series, beating Colombia and the Philippines but falling to South Korea, France and Germany.

Qualification had already been secured through their AfroBasket triumph, with the qualifiers serving mainly as preparation.

“The Board reviewed and approved preparations for the Federation’s major 2026 international engagements, including: The WNBA preparation tour and strategic exhibition engagements,” the communiqué read

“FIBA World Cup Qualifier Windows 3 and 4 (Men’s). Additional continental and international competitions within the approved calendar.”