ABIDJAN, CÔTE D’IVOIRE: Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, has cemented its place as the continent’s dominant force, securing a historic fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title with a 78-64 victory over Mali on Sunday.
The win at the Palais des Sports de Treichville not only marks their seventh continental championship but also makes them the first country to achieve a five-peat in the tournament’s history.
The Nigerian side, coached by Rena Wakama, extended its unbeaten streak in the competition to 29 games, a run that began in 2017.
The final was a hard-fought battle, with Mali taking an early lead and challenging Nigeria’s reign. After trailing 26-20 at the end of the first quarter, D’Tigress rallied to level the score at 41-41 by halftime.
The turning point came in the third quarter as Nigeria’s defense tightened, leading to a 20-15 scoring run.
The team, which had defeated arch-rivals Senegal 75-68 in the semifinals, never looked back after taking a 61-56 lead into the final period.
They sealed the victory with a commanding 17-8 run in the fourth quarter, showcasing their depth and resilience.
Individual performances were key to the team’s success. Amy Okonkwo delivered a standout performance with 19 points, while Ezinne Kalu, the 2019 tournament MVP, poured in 20 points, including several critical baskets.
Other key contributors included Promise Amukamara and Victoria Macaulay, who helped to maintain Nigeria’s composure and control on the court.
With this latest triumph, Nigeria has now secured the AfroBasket title in 2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025. The historic victory also qualifies D’Tigress for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany, continuing their run of international appearances.
Mali, along with bronze medalists South Sudan and Senegal, will now head to the qualification tournaments for a chance to join them.
