Nigeria rules Africa once again in sporting event as the Women Basketball National Team, the D’Tigress, win its fifth consecutive final AfroBasket game
The D’Tigress made history on Sunday, August 3, 2025 by becoming the first team in African basketball to win five consecutive Afrobasket titles.
The Nigerians secured a hard-fought 78–64 victory over Mali in the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket competition at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Côte d’Ivoire. Both teams entered the final with history on their minds.
Nigeria aimed to become the first nation to win five consecutive AfroBasket titles across both the men’s and women’s tournaments, while Mali were chasing their second Women’s AfroBasket crown—and their first in 18 years.
Mali started the game with intensity, playing aggressive basketball and outscoring Nigeria 26-21 in the first quarter.
But the D’Tigress responded strongly in the second, reeling off 12 unanswered points to seize the lead.
Though Nigeria edged the quarter 20-15, Mali clawed their way back into the contest, and both sides went into the halftime break tied at 41-41.
Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu led the charge for D’Tigress with 11 points apiece, while Sika Koné was Mali’s top performer with 11 points, the only Malian player in double figures at halftime.
Statistically, Nigeria had the edge in two-point field goals, shooting 70.59 per cent compared to Mali’s 55 per cent.
However, the Maliabs were more efficient from beyond the arc, converting 40 per cent of their three-point attempts against Nigeria’s 33.33 per cent.
From the free-throw line, Nigeria held a narrow advantage at 71.43 per cent. The third quarter was a tightly contested battle, with both teams fighting for every point and possession.
But D’Tigress edged it once again, outscoring Mali 20-15 to take a 61-56 lead into the final quarter.
D’Tigress maintained their lead in the last quarter to end the tie 78-64.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the girls for doing the nation proud once again after the Super Falcons brought honours from Morocco a few days ago.
In the same vein, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has congratulated the senior women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, on their remarkable triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Tournament.
In a statement, the First Lady described the win as a “historic feat” and a moment of immense national pride.
“To God be the glory for yet another remarkable achievement for our great country,” she said.
“Today, you have written a golden chapter in our nation’s sporting history by defeating Mali to clinch your fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title.”
The First Lady noted that with this win, D’Tigress not only upheld a decade-long unbeaten streak but also delivered Nigeria its second major sports trophy in just two weeks, a reflection, she said, of a renewed spirit of excellence among Nigerian athletes.
“With this victory, you have once again demonstrated the resilience, commitment, and unshakable determination of Nigerian women on the global stage,” Senator Tinubu stated.
“You have inspired countless young girls across the country to believe in their dreams, break barriers, and pursue excellence through hard work and discipline.”
Commending the team’s unity and sportsmanship, she added:
“I celebrate your discipline, your team spirit, and the sheer courage that has brought you this far. You have made Nigeria proud once again and lifted our spirits as a nation.”
“Congratulations, my wonderful D’Tigress! The nation salutes you. Thank you for flying the Nigerian flag high with honour, grace, and strength.”
Tinubu also gifted the team with $100,000 to each of the players, and $50,000 each for the 11-man coaching and technical team, and three-bedroom flats at Renewed Hope Estate for every member of the team and coaching staff.
Besides, the President conferred on the players and technical crew the prestigious national honor of Officer, Order of the Niger, OON.
The recognition of D’Tigress followed a similar state reception President Tinubu hosted last week for the Super Falcons, after their record-extending tenth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, victory in Rabat, Morocco.
