Nigeria’s D’Tigresses Make History with Fifth Consecutive Women’s AfroBasket Title
Nigeria’s D’Tigresses cemented their legacy as Africa’s undisputed queens of the hardwood, clinching their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title with a hard-fought 78-64 victory over Mali in the 2025 final on Sunday, August 3. The electrifying showdown, held at the packed Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, marked a historic milestone, as Nigeria became the first nation to achieve such a feat in the tournament’s 29 editions. With this triumph, the D’Tigresses extended their unbeaten streak to 29 games and also secured a direct berth to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany.
The 2025 Women’s AfroBasket, hosted for the first time by Côte d'Ivoire, brought together 12 of Africa’s top women’s basketball teams from July 26 to August 3. The stakes were high as the champion would earn an automatic spot in the 2026 World Cup, while the top four teams would qualify for the World Cup Qualifying Tournaments in March 2026. Nigeria, the four-time defending champions, entered as favorites, carrying a formidable 29-0 record against African opponents since their last loss in 2015 in a 71-70 semifinal defeat to Cameroon. Under the guidance of Coach Rena Wakama, the 2024 Olympic Coach of the Year, Nigeria’s blend of veteran leadership and disciplined execution made them the team to beat.
The final against Mali was a rematch of the 2021 championship game, where Nigeria had previously triumphed 70-59. This time, the game was a gritty, physical affair that showcased both teams’ resilience and tactical acumen. Mali, joint second in the all-time AfroBasket medal table with eight medals and a silver in 2021, came into the final with a talented roster boosted by young stars like 23-year-old Sika Koné, a former FIBA U19 World Cup All-Star and WNBA player with the Washington Mystics. Mali’s youth system, a powerhouse that has dominated every U16 Women’s title since 2009, promised a stern challenge.
The game began with Mali asserting early dominance, capitalizing on their rebounding prowess to take a lead in the first quarter. Nigeria, known for their slow starts in the tournament, found themselves trailing as Mali’s physicality and aggressive play set the tone. However, the D’Tigresses regrouped at halftime, tied at 41-41, thanks to a disciplined offensive effort led by key players Amy Okonkwo, Ezinne Kalu, and Victoria Macaulay. The turning point came early in the third quarter when Mali switched to a zone defense, only for Okonkwo to drain a crucial three-pointer, giving Nigeria a 44-41 lead. From that moment, the D’Tigresses seized control, never relinquishing their advantage despite Mali narrowing the gap to four points in the final quarter.
Okonkwo, named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second time, was a force throughout the final. Playing the entire game, she shot an impressive 7-for-11 from the field, including 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, finishing with 19 points. Alongside her, Kalu and Macaulay combined for 49 of Nigeria’s 78 points, showcasing the team’s depth and clutch performance under pressure. Okonkwo’s MVP award placed her in elite company, joining the likes of Mfon Udoka, Aya Traore, and Nacissela Mauricio as one of only four players to win the honor twice.
Mali, despite the loss, earned praise for its tenacity. Their 49-39 rebounding edge highlighted their physicality, but their struggles from three-point range proved costly. Players like Sika Koné, who was named to the All-Star Team, demonstrated Mali’s potential to challenge for the title in future tournaments. The silver medal was proof of their competitive spirit, marking their third podium finish in the last four editions.
The tournament also saw a historic moment for South Sudan, who made their Women’s AfroBasket debut and stunned the field by clinching the bronze medal with a victory over Senegal in the third-place game. This achievement marked the first time a debutant team won a medal, showing the rapid rise of South Sudan’s basketball program, which only secured its first official win in 2023. Senegal, the tournament’s most decorated team with 11 titles, settled for fourth place, their second time missing the podium in two decades. The top four teams (Nigeria, Mali, South Sudan, and Senegal) earned spots in the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, joining Cameroon, Mozambique, Côte d'Ivoire, and Uganda in the final standings.
The 2025 Women’s AfroBasket was a celebration of African basketball’s growth, with Côte d'Ivoire hosting for the first time at the 3,500-seat Palais des Sports de Treichville. The tournament featured standout performances, such as Côte d'Ivoire’s opening-day 75-63 win over Egypt, led by Laetitia Sahie’s 23 points. Despite the hosts’ quarterfinal loss to Senegal, the event showcased the continent’s rising talent and competitive depth.