Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have once again carved their name into the annals of African sporting history, clinching their fifth consecutive AfroBasket Women’s title with a commanding 78-64 victory over Mali in a fiercely contested final on Sunday night.
With this latest triumph, the Nigerian side becomes the first African country ever to win the AfroBasket Women’s Championship five times in a row, firmly cementing their dominance on the continent. It also marks Nigeria’s seventh overall title in the tournament and extends their unbeaten streak to 29 games, a flawless run that has lasted since 2015.
Though the final started with Nigeria struggling to find rhythm, their composure under pressure shone through once again. Mali’s aggressive opening spurred head coach Rena Wakama’s side into action, and by halftime, the scoreboard was locked at 41–41. From that point on, D’Tigress found another gear—one that Mali simply couldn’t match.
The turning point came in the third quarter, where Nigeria’s defensive intensity shut down Mali’s offense. The quarter ended with Nigeria outscoring their opponents 20–15 and heading into the final 10 minutes with a narrow 61–56 lead.
A final push in the fourth quarter saw Nigeria pull away decisively, led by Ezinne Kalu’s 20-point performance, including key shots that turned the tide when it mattered most. Amy Okonkwo added 19 points of her own, showcasing the scoring prowess and tactical discipline that have become hallmarks of the D’Tigress.
Other standout performances came from Promise Amukamara, Victoria Macaulay, and Musa, who added nine crucial points and four rebounds, all contributing to Nigeria’s complete team display.
To even reach the final, Nigeria had to overcome a stiff challenge from Senegal in the semi-finals, narrowly edging their West African rivals 75–68 in what many dubbed the “final before the final.”
Sunday night’s historic win is not only a testament to the depth and quality of Nigeria’s women’s basketball program but also to the strategic brilliance of Rena Wakama, the first woman to coach the D’Tigress. Her leadership, blending experience as a former player with tactical acumen, has drawn praise from all quarters—including from the presidency.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who recently awarded the Super Falcons $100,000 following their WAFCON triumph, had already congratulated D’Tigress on reaching the final, lauding their resilience and unity. Following this momentous win, expectations are high that a similarly generous gesture awaits the basketball queens of Africa.
This fifth consecutive AfroBasket crown reinforces D’Tigress as Africa’s most formidable women’s basketball team—a juggernaut that continues to break records, inspire a new generation of athletes, and raise Nigeria’s profile in international sports.