Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, battled to a gritty 60–55 win over Mozambique in their second group match at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Côte d’Ivoire, sealing an early qualification to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
In what was a tense and physical encounter, the reigning African champions had to dig deep to overcome a resilient Mozambican side that contested for large spells of the game. From tip-off to the final buzzer, it was a high-pressure showdown that demanded focus, mental strength, and clutch execution from both teams.
Mozambique started strong, controlling the tempo and holding D’Tigress to just nine points in the first quarter, which they won 13–9. The second quarter was evenly matched, with both teams adding 15 points apiece, as Nigeria struggled to find rhythm against Mozambique’s well-organized defense.
Heading into the break, Mozambique looked poised to pull off an upset, but D’Tigress returned with renewed energy. In the third quarter, the Nigerian team began their rally, outscoring Mozambique 18–15 and cutting into the lead. By the fourth quarter, D’Tigress took control of the game, executing better plays on both ends of the court and edging Mozambique 18–12 in the final period to complete the comeback and close out the game.
Ezinne Kalu led Nigeria’s charge with 16 points, despite shooting inconsistently from the free-throw line (8 of 13). Her leadership and aggression were vital in breaking through Mozambique’s defense. Promise Amukamara also delivered a strong performance, contributing 13 points, including three three-pointers from seven attempts. Meanwhile, Murjanatu Musa was effective in the paint, scoring 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting, giving Nigeria crucial inside presence.
The victory continues Nigeria’s dominance over Mozambique in recent years. In their 2023 quarterfinal clash at AfroBasket, D’Tigress emerged victorious with a 59–52 win. They also secured a 67–50 victory over Mozambique in the group stages of the 2021 tournament. Mozambique’s last win against Nigeria came in the 2013 quarterfinals, over a decade ago.
With this hard-fought win, D’Tigress remain unbeaten in the competition and underline their status as the team to beat. The result also guarantees them a place in the quarterfinals, where they will aim to maintain their momentum in pursuit of a fifth consecutive AfroBasket title.
Nigeria’s next opponents will be determined once the remaining group-stage games are completed. But with their resilience, bench depth, and championship mentality on display, D’Tigress have sent a clear message: they’re not just here to compete, they’re here to defend their crown.
