Nigeria’s D’Tigress cemented their status as Africa’s dominant force in women’s basketball with a 78–64 victory over Mali in Abidjan, securing a record fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title and seventh overall.
The win, delivered at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, also extended their unbeaten streak in the competition to 29 games across a full decade, earning them an automatic spot at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
Despite trailing 26–21 at the end of the first quarter, Coach Rena Wakama’s side rallied to level 41–41 by halftime, before asserting control in the second half. A 20–15 third-quarter surge and a dominant 17–8 final period sealed the historic triumph.
Amy Okonkwo, who played all 40 minutes, delivered 19 points and nine rebounds to claim her second straight MVP award, joining Nigeria’s Mfon Udoka, Senegal’s Aya Traoré, and Angola’s Nacissela Maurício as multiple-time winners.
Ezinne Kalu led all scorers with 20 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Victoria Macaulay and Murjanatu Musa combined for 22 points and 10 rebounds to secure the paint. Veteran Promise Amukamara orchestrated the attack with 11 assists and a +16 plus-minus despite scoring just eight points.
Nigeria’s efficiency proved decisive, shooting 49.18% from the field and converting 59.46% of their two-point attempts, while Mali struggled at 37%.
D’Tigress also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 17 points from Mali’s 17 errors, and edged the fast-break battle 10–5.
Though Mali narrowly won the rebounding contest 37–36, Nigeria’s 27 defensive boards and composure under pressure nullified second-chance threats.
President Bola Tinubu hailed the team’s feat on X, praising the players and Coach Wakama as “a source of national pride” and congratulating the squad for becoming five-time consecutive champions.
For Mali, the defeat marked a third AfroBasket final loss, despite the promise of their youthful squad, led by Sika Koné and Djeneba N’Diaye.
Meanwhile, South Sudan claimed a historic bronze with a 66–65 win over Senegal, underlining the rising competitiveness of African women’s basketball.
With this latest triumph, Nigeria not only rewrites AfroBasket history but also reaffirms a continental dynasty built on resilience, efficiency, and experience.
