By Bamidele Aremu
Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, on Sunday reaffirmed their dominance on the continent by defeating Mali 78–64 to win the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The win marks their fifth consecutive African title and extends their unbeaten AfroBasket run to 29 games, cementing their legacy as the most successful team in the competition’s modern history.
Led by head coach Rena Wakama, the Nigerian side recovered from a slow start to outclass Mali in the second half. Amy Okonkwo powered the team with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Ezinne Kalu delivered 20 points and five assists in a commanding performance.
“We stayed focused and trusted each other,” said Coach Wakama, who becomes the first female coach to win the title for Nigeria. “These girls gave everything for this jersey.”
Team captain Promise Amukamara described the win as a reward for months of hard work. “This is what we worked for. It’s not just about talent, it’s about unity, discipline, and pride.”
D’Tigress will now shift focus to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers, where they aim to carry their continental success onto the global stage.
