Nigeria Makes History with Fifth Consecutive Women’s AfroBasket Title
Nigeria’s D’Tigress made history by winning their fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket title after defeating Mali 78–64 in the 2025 final. With this victory, they extended their unbeaten run in the tournament to 29 games and secured a direct spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Ezinne Kalu and MVP Amy Okonkwo led the team to yet another dominant performance, reinforcing Nigeria’s status as Africa’s top women’s basketball powerhouse.
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, August 3, 2025. Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has etched its name into the history books after defeating Mali 78‑64 to claim their fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket championship.
This historic victory makes Nigeria the only nation to win the tournament five times in a row, reaffirming their dominance in African women’s basketball. Since 2015, D’Tigress has remained unbeaten in AfroBasket play, extending their incredible winning streak to 29 games.
A Battle of Resilience
The final was far from easy. Mali came out strong, matching Nigeria’s intensity from the start and leading 26–21 at the end of the first quarter. By halftime, the game was tied 41–41, highlighting Mali’s determination to win their first title since 2007.
However, Nigeria's experience and depth shone through in the second half. D’Tigress turned up the defensive pressure and improved their shooting, outscoring Mali in both the third and fourth quarters to seal the victory.
Star Performers
Ezinne Kalu led the scoring for Nigeria with 20 points, providing consistent offensive firepower. Amy Okonkwo, who was later named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, added 19 points, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and 4-for-7 from beyond the arc. She also grabbed nine rebounds and dished out three assists in a standout performance.
Mali’s Sika Koné put up a valiant effort with 16 points and 13 rebounds but couldn’t overcome the depth and cohesion of the Nigerian side.
A Legacy of Excellence
With this win, Nigeria now holds seven AfroBasket titles overall, further solidifying their reputation as Africa’s premier women’s basketball team. Their continued success is a testament to the team’s discipline, coaching, and the growing talent pool of Nigerian women in basketball.
This victory also secures Nigeria a direct qualification spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. Other top teams from the tournament, including Mali, Senegal, and South Sudan, will move on to the World Cup Qualifying Tournaments scheduled for early next year.
D’Tigress have not only rewritten the AfroBasket record books but have also inspired a new generation of female athletes across Africa. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the world is watching what Nigeria will do next.