France, ranked third globally, held off a determined Nigeria side to claim a 93–86 victory in a Group A clash at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Villeurbanne.
From tip-off, the hosts imposed their rhythm at the Astroballe arena, establishing an early lead and never looking back.
Nigeria, Africa’s reigning champions, mounted a spirited third-quarter push, closing the gap to just seven points, but France’s composure in the final quarter sealed the win.
Janelle Salaun spearheaded France’s attack with 19 points and five rebounds, shooting efficiently six-of-nine from the field and four-of-seven from beyond the arc.
Valeriane Ayayi added 12 points and six boards, finishing with a team-high plus-12 rating and making her presence felt on both ends of the court.
Nigeria leaned heavily on Elizabeth Balogun, who tallied 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists over nearly 35 minutes, spearheading a 12–0 run that briefly brought Nigeria back into contention.
Despite their rally, France’s early dominance, including a crucial 9–0 spurt in the second quarter, kept them in control.
France reached a game-high 19-point advantage twice in the second quarter and led for nearly the entire contest, with the score tied for just 18 seconds.
In the final minute, they outscored Nigeria 4–0 to cement the victory.
The result underscores France’s ability to maintain focus under pressure, while Nigeria will look to build on the strong phases of play and their third-quarter surge as the tournament continues.
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