D’Tigress of Nigeria have sealed their place in African basketball history with a thunderous 78–64 victory over Mali in the finals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, claiming an unprecedented fifth consecutive championship title. The final, played on Sunday, August 4, at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, witnessed another dominant display from the reigning African queens.
Led by head coach Rena Wakama, the Nigerian women’s team have now gone unbeaten in 29 straight AfroBasket games—an astonishing run that began in 2015. Their latest triumph marks Nigeria’s seventh continental title, further cementing their position as Africa’s most decorated women’s basketball team.
Amy Okonkwo, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), once again stole the spotlight with her electric performance throughout the competition. She became only the second Nigerian in history to clinch back-to-back MVP titles after Mfon Udoka’s feats in 2003 and 2005. Okonkwo’s leadership and presence on the court were pivotal to Nigeria’s success.
Mali, once again D’Tigress’ toughest rival in the final, struggled to contain the Nigerian side’s relentless pace, sharp transitions, and clinical shooting. Chidom, Oge, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, and Ifunanya Okoro all contributed crucial minutes, showing the squad’s depth and chemistry on the hardwood.
The win has sparked jubilation across Nigeria, with fans on social media hailing the team as “the queens of African basketball” and praising them for consistently making the country proud on the global stage. Their performances over the last decade have inspired a new generation of female athletes and drawn attention to the potential of women’s sports development in Africa.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to host the team in Abuja later this week, following in the footsteps of his earlier commendations of Nigerian sportswomen for their excellence, resilience, and patriotism. There are also growing calls for the Federal Ministry of Sports to increase investment in women’s basketball programs, citing the team’s historic consistency as a model for success.
As the celebrations continue, D’Tigress remain focused on global dominance with their sights now set on Olympic qualification. “We’ve conquered Africa, now the world is next,” said coach Wakama. And with this team? That ambition no longer sounds like a dream—it’s a warning.
