Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, reaffirmed their dominance on the African stage with a commanding 78–64 victory over Mali in the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship, held on Sunday.
The win, which marked their seventh overall title, cemented their legacy as the most successful and consistent women’s basketball team on the continent.
This latest triumph also extended their remarkable unbeaten streak to 29 games, a run that dates back to 2015. Throughout the tournament, D’Tigress demonstrated their championship DNA, overcoming slow starts and rising to the occasion when it mattered most.
In the final game, Nigeria began cautiously, allowing Mali to dictate the pace early on. But as the second quarter unfolded, coach Rena Wakama’s team found their rhythm. Driven by Mali’s aggressive play, the Nigerian side recalibrated and fought back to level the scores at 41–41 by halftime.
Their road to the final was no less intense. D’Tigress had to overcome a spirited Senegalese side in the semi-finals, eventually emerging victorious with a 75–68 win in what many spectators dubbed the “real final.” The tightly contested match served as a tough test of the team’s grit and experience.
In the final, Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu stood out as key figures in the team’s offensive strategy. Okonkwo contributed 19 points, while Kalu scored 20, including crucial baskets during the second and third quarters that helped swing the momentum in Nigeria’s favour.
Other notable performances came from Promise Amukamara, Victoria Macaulay, and Musa, who added nine points and four rebounds. The team’s strong bench and tactical versatility once again proved decisive.
A crucial stretch came in the third quarter, when D’Tigress clamped down defensively and outscored Mali 20–15. With a five-point lead going into the final quarter (61–56), Nigeria maintained control and surged ahead to seal the win.
This victory came shortly after President Bola Tinubu honoured the Super Falcons for their success in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, marking a celebratory period for women’s sports in Nigeria.
What You Should Know
D’Tigress have firmly established themselves as Africa’s top women’s basketball team, winning the AfroBasket championship for a record fifth consecutive time and seventh overall.
Their unbeaten streak of 29 games since 2015 highlights the team’s unmatched dominance, consistency, and depth. With standout players like Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu, along with strategic coaching by Rena Wakama, the team has become a symbol of resilience and excellence.
This latest victory not only strengthens their legacy but also underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in African sports, particularly in empowering women athletes to excel on the continental stage.
