Nigeria’s women’s basketball powerhouse, the D’Tigress, defeated Mali 78–64 to lift their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title on August 3, 2025, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
In a display of grit, grace, and greatness, they once again wrote their name in golden ink, from a slow start to a thunderous finish. The final was a showcase of champions rising under pressure.
The Comeback Queens
The game tipped off with Mali drawing first blood, taking a 26–21 lead in the first quarter. But the D’Tigress, never strangers to adversity, clawed back with unshakable determination. By halftime, it was all square at 41–41, thanks to explosive plays by Ezinne Kalu (20 points) and Amy Okonkwo (19 points).
In the second half, the Tigers roared.
Q3: Nigeria edged ahead, 61–56.
Q4: Total dominance — a 17–8 run to slam the door shut.
It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. With that victory, Nigeria extended their AfroBasket unbeaten streak to 29 matches, a flawless record dating back to 2015.
The Road to Glory
D’Tigress navigated a tricky but thrilling path to the top:
Group Stage: Blew past Rwanda 92–45 and outlasted Mozambique 60–55.
Quarterfinals: Flattened Cameroon 83–47 in a clinical performance.
Semifinals: Surged past Senegal 75–68, surviving a late-game scare with calm execution.
Coach Wakama’s Reign
This historic feat came under the brilliance of Coach Rena Wakama, who also etched her name into the annals of African basketball as the first female coach to win an AfroBasket title for Nigeria. With tactical sharpness and fearless leadership, Wakama has guided her squad to unmatched continental dominance—and inspired a new generation of female coaches.
National Pride, Global Goals
Back home, President Bola Tinubu saluted the team’s heroic feat, calling it “a victory of pride and purpose for every Nigerian girl with a dream.” On social media, fans and pundits joined the chorus, hailing the team’s consistency, chemistry, and courage.
The D’Tigress even teased a viral post: “We’re just practising for Tinubu’s $100,000 bonus”
Beyond the celebration, this win also books Nigeria’s ticket to the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers in Berlin, where they’ll take their fight global.
Legacy Sealed, Records Threatened
This triumph adds to Nigeria’s growing AfroBasket treasure chest: 2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and now 2025—seven titles, inching closer to Senegal’s record.
With every rebound, dunk, and buzzer-beater, D’Tigress aren’t just defending a title—they’re building a legacy.
Final Word
The Nigerian D’Tigress have turned domination into tradition. From roaring comebacks to cool composure under pressure, they’ve once again shown Africa—and the world—that queens don’t just wear crowns. They earn them.
