Unstoppable D’Tigress Clinch 5th Consecutive AfroBasket Title, Set New African Benchmark

No team has ever won five consecutive titles like D’Tigress

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have once again stamped their dominance on the continent, defeating Mali 78–64 to win the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship.

The victory, sealed Sunday night at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, marks their fifth consecutive title and seventh overall—a feat unmatched in the competition’s history.

With the win, D’Tigress also extended their incredible unbeaten run to 29 games, a streak that stretches back to 2017, showcasing their continued reign over African women’s basketball.

Slow Start, Strong Finish

Despite a sluggish start that saw Nigeria trail 21–26 at the end of the first quarter, the team remained composed. Mali, driven by Sika Koné and Amina Dembele, opened the game with urgency, aiming to avenge past defeats.

But Murjanatu Musa broke Nigeria’s scoring drought, while Victoria Macaulay provided a steadying presence off the bench. By halftime, D’Tigress had pulled level at 41–41, thanks to key contributions from Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu.

Okonkwo finished with 19 points, while Kalu led the way with 20 points, including clutch plays in the second and third quarters. Promise Amukamara, Macaulay, and Musa also made vital contributions—highlighting the team’s strength in depth.

Sealing the Win

The third quarter proved pivotal, as Nigeria outscored Mali 20–15 with increased defensive pressure. A momentum-shifting three-point play from Okonkwo and smart decision-making from Kalu helped Nigeria regain control.

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Heading into the final quarter with a 61–56 lead, the team never looked back, closing out the game with a dominant 17–8 run.

Wakama’s Winning Touch

Head Coach Rena Wakama, who made history in 2023 as the first woman to lead D’Tigress to an AfroBasket title, has now secured back-to-back championships. Her calm leadership and tactical brilliance were evident throughout the tournament.

National Praise

President Bola Tinubu had earlier commended the team ahead of the final, hailing their consistency, discipline, and the pride they bring to Nigeria. He also recognized Coach Wakama’s inspirational leadership, which has been central to the team’s continued success.

D’Tigress now add 2025 to their list of titles won in 2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023—cementing their legacy as one of Africa’s most dominant teams in basketball history.