Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, on Sunday claimed their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship after defeating Mali 78–64 in the final match held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The victory, which extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the tournament since 2015, also marked their seventh AfroBasket title overall, cementing their dominance in African women’s basketball.
Amy Okonkwo led the team with 19 points and nine rebounds, earning her the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Ezinne Kalu added 20 points in a stellar performance that powered the team past Mali after a closely contested first half that ended 41–41.
Under the leadership of Coach Rena Wakama, the first female coach to lead Nigeria to an AfroBasket title, D’Tigress tightened their defense and dominated the second half to secure the win.
President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu were among the prominent Nigerians who congratulated the team, praising their resilience and historic achievement.
With the victory, D’Tigress have also secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, where they will face top teams from around the globe.
This latest triumph further solidifies Nigeria’s status as a powerhouse in African women’s basketball and continues a decade-long streak of dominance in the competition.
