FIBA U19 WWC: Nigeria vs Portugal Preview

After a one-day break to recuperate and regroup, Nigeria’s U19 Women’s Basketball Team will return to the court today, July 15, 2025, to face Portugal at the Sportovní hala Vodova Hall 2, Brno, by 10:45am.

Portugal, ranked 11th overall out of 16 teams in the competition, are debutants. They lost their opening game to Canada with a score of 49-88. However, like Nigeria, they also secured victory against China, winning 77-52 in the second game.

In that victory, former Kentucky player Clara Silva, who is headed to TCU, made a significant impact with an impressive double-double, recording 25 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. She is a player to watch as Nigeria prepares to face Portugal.

The 6’6″ centre, who is tied as the second tallest player in the tournament alongside Callie Hinder from Australia and Sydney Douglas from the USA, has been a dominant force for Portugal thus far. She is averaging 18.5 points per game, 9.5 rebounds per game, and 3.0 blocks per game, while shooting 40% from the field.

The J’Tigress are also participating in the tournament for the first time. Nigeria was initially set to make their debut in Chile by finishing second behind hosts Egypt in the 2010 FIBA Africa U18 Championship for Women in Cairo but did not participate.

Nigeria, ranked 16th of 16, got an impressive 93-88 victory over China in their opening game, before falling to a heavy 113-42 defeat against Canada.

Both teams, with similar fates so far, would be looking to finish the group stage on a high note.