D’Tigress Crowned AfroBasket Champions For Historic Fifth Consecutive Time.
Nigeria’s D’Tigress have once again etched their name in the annals of African basketball history, clinching an unprecedented fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket title. In a thrilling final on Sunday, 3 August 2025, at the Palais des Sports Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria defeated Mali with a commanding 78-64 scoreline to claim their seventh overall AfroBasket crown.
The match was a showcase of D’Tigress’ resilience and tactical prowess. Despite a slow start, with Mali edging the first quarter 26-21, Nigeria fought back fiercely in the second, levelling the score at 41-41 by halftime. The third quarter saw the defending champions take control, dominating the court with their signature blend of sharp offence and tenacious defence. By the final quarter, D’Tigress sealed their victory with a performance that underscored their unrivalled dominance in African women’s basketball.
This triumph marks Nigeria’s 29th consecutive win in the Women’s AfroBasket, a remarkable streak that has remained unbroken since October 2015. No other African nation has achieved such a feat, and D’Tigress’ latest victory cements their status as the undisputed queens of the continent’s basketball scene. The win also secures Nigeria an automatic qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, a testament to their growing global presence.
Led by standout performers like Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu, Nigeria’s roster demonstrated both experience and flair. Eight players from the 2021 championship team, which also defeated Mali in the final, returned to Abidjan, adding a layer of continuity and determination to their campaign. Mali, despite their youthful energy and rebounding prowess, could not overcome Nigeria’s superior shooting accuracy and strategic depth.
Head coach Rena Wakama, who made history in 2023 as the first female coach to win an AfroBasket title, continues to lead D’Tigress to new heights. Her leadership has transformed the team into a powerhouse, with this latest victory further solidifying her legacy.
The Nigerian squad’s journey to the final was marked by dominant performances, including an 83-47 rout of Cameroon in the quarterfinals and a hard-fought 75-68 win over Senegal in the semifinals. Mali, equally impressive in their run, dispatched South Sudan 76-50 in their semifinal clash but could not match Nigeria’s intensity in the decisive moments of the final.
As the final whistle blew, celebrations erupted across Nigeria and beyond, with fans hailing D’Tigress as the pride of the continent. This historic fifth consecutive title not only underscores their dominance but also highlights the growing strength of women’s basketball in Africa.
All hail D’Tigress, the queens of African basketball, who continue to inspire and conquer for the motherland.
