FIBA Women’s World Cup: France Coach Labels Nigeria As Tough Opponent

FIBA Women’s World Cup: France Coach Labels Nigeria As Tough Opponent 

Sampson Adedeji 

France women’s national basketball team head coach, Jean-Aimé Toupane, has acknowledged the persistent challenge posed by Nigeria ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, describing the African champions as a consistently tough opponent, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Following the release of the draw for the tournament, FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 placed France in a competitive Group alongside Nigeria’s D’Tigress, Hungary, and South Korea.

France enter the fixture with recent confidence after defeating Nigeria in a qualifying tournament, but Toupane insisted past results will count for little when both sides meet again on the global stage.

“We mustn’t lose our focus just because we’ve recently played Nigeria,” he said. 

“Facing a team you’ve beaten recently is never easy. We need to maintain the same level of seriousness, the same determination, and the same ambition to have a great tournament.”

"He further emphasized the mutual familiarity between both teams, adding: “The advantage is that we know them. 

"But they know us too. It’s never easy to play Nigeria. This will be the third competition in a row where we face them; it’s always very tough. They’re a very strong team, led by a great coach.”

Nigeria’s women’s national team, Nigeria women's national basketball team (D'Tigress), have built a reputation as one of the most competitive sides in women’s basketball, particularly on the African continent, and are expected to provide a stern test once again.

The group is widely seen as one of the most competitive in the tournament, with France and Nigeria tipped as the key contenders for progression.