Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, are on the brink of making history as they gear up for a decisive clash against Mali in the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket. The championship game is set for 7 p.m. WAT on Sunday at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
With four consecutive titles already under their belt, Nigeria is chasing an unprecedented fifth straight AfroBasket crown and a seventh overall—a feat that would firmly establish them as the undisputed queens of African basketball. But standing in their way is a determined Malian squad, eager to clinch only their second title, and their first since 2007.
D’Tigress earned their spot in the final following a thrilling 75–68 victory over arch-rivals Senegal in the semi-finals. The encounter tested Nigeria’s resolve, as they overcame a third-quarter deficit through a decisive fourth-quarter run, outscoring Senegal 23–10. Key contributions came from Ezinne Kalu, Victoria Macaulay, Promise Amukamara, and Amy Okonkwo, whose performances fueled the comeback.
The win extended Nigeria’s dominance over Senegal to seven straight games and stretched their AfroBasket winning streak to an astonishing 28 games—a testament to their consistency, resilience, and championship pedigree.
At the heart of this remarkable era is head coach Rena Wakama, the first woman to lead D’Tigress. Since her appointment, Wakama has instilled tactical discipline, cohesion, and an unshakeable winning mentality. Her leadership drew widespread praise after the semi-final, with President Bola Tinubu commending both the team’s discipline and Wakama’s visionary coaching.
Sunday’s final promises to be a stern test. Mali advanced to the title game after cruising past South Sudan 76–50 in their semi-final. The Malian side, featuring dominant post players like Sika Koné and Djeneba N’Diaye, brings physicality and momentum into the final. However, Nigeria holds the upper hand in terms of experience, depth, and big-game composure.
The two sides last met in the 2021 AfroBasket final, where Nigeria triumphed. With seasoned stars like Kalu, Macaulay, and Okonkwo in top form, D’Tigress will aim to replicate that success and shut down Mali once more.
Still, the final offers no room for error. For Nigeria, the mission is clear: maintain intensity from the tip-off, control the boards, and execute with precision. Complacency is not an option.
A win on Sunday will not only secure the trophy but also crown a golden generation and confirm D’Tigress’ status as the greatest dynasty in the history of African women’s basketball
