By 
Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, extended their remarkable reign on the continent by defeating Mali 78–64 in the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship , claiming their fifth consecutive title and seventh overall.
The victory, recorded on Sunday night at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, also marked their 29th straight win in the competition—an unbeaten streak that dates back to 2017.
No team has ever won five consecutive titles like D’Tigress.
Though Nigeria trailed 21–26 at the end of the first quarter, they showed calm and class in equal measure.
Mali had come into the final looking to avenge previous losses and began the game with high intensity, led by the sharp play of Sika Koné and Amina Dembele.
But Nigeria stayed composed, with Murjanatu Musa scoring to break the early drought and Victoria Macaulay offering solid contributions off the bench to steady the ship.
By halftime, D’Tigress had rallied to level the scores at 41–41, largely thanks to the scoring duo of Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu. Okonkwo delivered a standout performance with 19 points on the night, while Kalu poured in 20 points, including several critical baskets in the second and third quarters.
Promise Amukamara and Victoria Macaulay also chipped in, while Musa added nine important points and four rebounds in a game that saw Nigeria’s depth come into play once again.
The third quarter proved decisive as Nigeria tightened their defense, outscoring Mali 20–15. A pivotal three-point play from Okonkwo reestablished Nigeria’s control, and Kalu’s smart decision-making kept the team composed as they edged ahead.
By the start of the fourth quarter, the Nigerians led 61–56, and they never looked back.
Their energy and execution in the closing minutes sealed the win, finishing the match on a commanding 17–8 run that underlined their dominance.
With the win, Nigeria have now secured the AfroBasket title in 2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and now 2025.
Head Coach Rena Wakama, who made history in 2023 as the first female to lead the team to a title, added another trophy to her growing legacy.
Her calm presence on the sidelines and tactical decisions throughout the tournament were key in guiding a young and dynamic squad through intense competition.
President Bola Tinubu had commended the team for their consistent excellence ahead of the final.
In a statement from the State House, he praised their discipline and team spirit, noting that their efforts have brought honour to the nation.
He also acknowledged Coach Wakama for her inspirational leadership.
The victory over Mali comes just 24 hours after D’Tigress edged out rivals Senegal in a thrilling semifinal encounter that many dubbed the “final before the final.”
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