Six-time champions Nigeria’s D’Tigress have arrived in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, ahead of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship, as they gear up to defend their continental crown from July 26 to August 3.
Grouped in Group D, D’Tigress will face off against Mozambique and Rwanda in the group stage. Nigeria heads into the tournament as the undisputed queens of African women’s basketball, having clinched the last four titles (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023), and are now in pursuit of an unprecedented fifth consecutive title — a potential record-breaking “5-peat.”
Nigeria’s dominance began in 2003 with their first title in Mozambique, which they successfully defended in 2005 on home soil in Abuja. Now, the reigning champions return with their sights firmly set on yet another triumph.
A royal welcome for our Queens in Abidjan. #afrobasketwomen pic.twitter.com/YZt7Eu0liO
— DTigress (@DtigressNG) July 24, 2025The 12-player roster, announced by Head Coach Rena Wakama before their departure from Abuja, includes returning star Sarah Ogoke, who rejoins the squad after a brief family break. The core of the squad remains largely unchanged from the team that impressed globally at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where they reached the quarterfinals after historic wins over Australia and Canada.
The final squad features Captain Amy Okonkwo, Promise Amukamara, Sarah Ogoke, and Ezinne Kalu. Other key players include Murjanatu Musa, Victoria Macaulay, Elizabeth Balogun, Blessing Ejiofor, Ifunaya Okoro, Vera Ojenuwa, Nicole Enabosi, and Pallas Kunayi-Akpanah.
Before the team departed their Double D Apartment camp in Abuja, Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, encouraged the players to showcase their talent and bring home a fifth consecutive trophy. He praised the team’s spirit and assured them of the nation’s prayers and support.
Team captain Amy Okonkwo also expressed her appreciation to the NBBF for their support and commended the positive environment created during the team’s camp in Abuja.
