The national senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, made history on Sunday night in Abidjan by becoming the first African team to win five FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles in a row, after a determined performance against Mali in the final.
Victory in a Tough Contest
In what turned out to be one of their most intense challenges at the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket tournament held in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria battled past a resilient Mali side to secure a 78-64 win. The win extended their unbeaten run to 29 games, dating back to their third-place playoff at the 2015 tournament in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
As in most of their earlier games, D’Tigress started slow. But faced with Mali’s strong start, Coach Rena Wakama’s team responded well in the second quarter and went into halftime tied at 41–41. The Nigerian team then took control in the second half to seal the win.
Standout Performers Seal Nigeria’s Domination
Crucial contributions from Amy Okonkwo, Ezinne Kalu, Promise Amukamara, and Victoria Macaulay turned the momentum in Nigeria’s favour during the third and fourth quarters.
With commanding victories over Rwanda, Mozambique, Cameroon, Senegal, and finally Mali, D’Tigress completed a flawless campaign, underlining their position as Africa’s basketball powerhouse.
Amy Okonkwo Named MVP Again
Nigeria’s Amy Okonkwo was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, reclaiming the honour she also won two years ago. She was also selected in the Top Five best players of the tournament, alongside:
• Delicia Washington (South Sudan)
• Sika Kone (Mali)
• Cierra Dillard (Senegal)
• Jane Asinde (Uganda)
Tinubu Hails ‘Five Star’ D’Tigress
Reacting to the historic win, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised the team for their performance, describing it as a moment of pride for the country.
The President posted via his verified X handle @officialABAT, expressing his joy and support for the squad:
You did it, girls @DtigressNG Superb performance to become 5x consecutive Champions of Africa and seventh overall
Well done, Coach Rena and the team You have made Nigeria proud I am expecting you all, along with the trophy #MissionV – Done & DustedUnder the leadership of Coach Rena Wakama, the team showcased tactical intelligence, discipline, and resilience throughout the tournament. This latest title has firmly placed Nigeria at the summit of African women’s basketball, with seven AfroBasket titles overall and an unmatched streak of five consecutive wins.
With every game, D’Tigress continue to write their name in gold and serve as an inspiration for women’s sports development in Nigeria and across the continent.