President Tinubu Celebrates D’Tigress’ Historic Fifth Consecutive AfroBasket Final Appearance.
President Bola Tinubu has hailed Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, for their remarkable achievement in reaching the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, marking their fifth consecutive appearance in the championship game. The team secured their place with a hard-fought 75-68 victory over Senegal in a thrilling semi-final clash on Saturday at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu praised the team’s resilience, discipline, and unwavering team spirit, which have solidified their dominance in African women’s basketball. The victory over Senegal, a long-standing rival, marked D’Tigress’ seventh consecutive win against the West African side and extended their unbeaten streak in the AfroBasket to 28 games since 2015. “I have observed the discipline, focus, and team spirit consistently displayed by D’Tigress throughout this tournament—qualities that have brought honour to our nation and earned respect for our players and coaches worldwide,” the President said.
The semi-final match was a fiercely contested affair, often described as “the final before the final.” D’Tigress took an early lead, winning the first quarter 22-17 and holding a narrow 43-37 advantage at halftime, driven by standout performances from players like Ezinne Kalu, who scored 19 points, and Victoria Macaulay, who contributed 11 points, three rebounds, and two steals. However, Senegal mounted a strong comeback in the third quarter, outscoring Nigeria 21-9 to take a six-point lead. Undeterred, D’Tigress rallied in the fourth quarter with a decisive 23-10 run, showcasing their trademark resilience and defensive grit to secure the victory.
President Tinubu also singled out Head Coach Rena Wakama for her exceptional leadership. Wakama, the first woman to lead D’Tigress to an AfroBasket title in 2023, has continued to inspire the team to new heights. “I especially commend Rena Wakama, whose leadership and experience—both on the court and now from the bench—continue to propel D’Tigress in this highly competitive sport,” he noted.
The team’s success has also earned them a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments, scheduled for March 2026, further elevating Nigeria’s global sporting reputation. As D’Tigress prepare to face Mali in Sunday’s final, President Tinubu assured the team of his unwavering support in their quest for a fifth consecutive AfroBasket title and a record-extending seventh overall. The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, also congratulated the team, praising their decade-long unbeaten run and their commanding 83-47 quarter-final victory over Cameroon.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Adeboye, described the semi-final win as a testament to the “indomitable Nigerian spirit,” highlighting the team’s unity and courage under pressure. He credited President Tinubu’s support for Nigerian sports, particularly women’s sports, as a driving force behind the team’s success. “Nigerian sports has never had it this good, and we are already seeing the positive results,” Adeboye said.
As D’Tigress gear up for the final, the nation stands firmly behind them, hopeful that they will once again lift the AfroBasket trophy and cement their legacy as the undisputed queens of African basketball.
