Nigeria’s D’Tigress have cemented their legacy as the most dominant women’s basketball team in Africa, defeating Mali 78 to 64 in the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. With this triumph, Nigeria becomes the first team in history to win five consecutive AfroBasket titles.
In a thrilling final showdown, the Nigerian team had to fight back from a slow start. Mali claimed the first quarter 26 to 21, capitalizing on early turnovers and defensive lapses from the defending champions. However, D’Tigress regained momentum in the second quarter, winning it 20 to 15 and leveling the score at 41 to 41 by halftime.
The third quarter proved crucial as D’Tigress took control with improved defense and clinical shooting, edging Mali 20 to 15 and opening a five-point lead heading into the final frame. Nigeria then sealed the contest in dominant fashion, outscoring Mali 17 to 8 in the fourth quarter to secure a 14-point victory.
Veteran point guard Ezinne Kalu delivered a standout performance in what could be her final AfroBasket appearance, scoring 20 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists. She was ably supported by Amy Okonkwo, who contributed 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Murjanatu Musa added 9 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, while Promise Amukamara recorded 8 points and 11 assists to power the team to victory.
The win extends Nigeria’s remarkable unbeaten run in the competition, maintaining their status as queens of African women’s basketball since 2017.
Earlier in the day, South Sudan pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the tournament, edging past 11-time champions Senegal 66 to 65 to claim the bronze medal. Entering the competition as wild cards, South Sudan’s third-place finish marks their first-ever medal in AfroBasket history.
Senegal, meanwhile, missed out on a podium finish for only the third time in 26 editions. The West African giants also failed to medal in the inaugural 1966 tournament and again in 2021 in Cameroon, finishing fourth on both occasions.
With their latest title, D’Tigress not only reaffirm their dominance in Africa but also build momentum ahead of global competitions, including the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
