Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have clinched their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title with an impressive 78-64 victory over Mali in the final.
The win marks Nigeria’s seventh overall AfroBasket championship and extends their unbeaten run in the tournament to 29 games, further cementing their dominance in African women’s basketball.
Under the leadership of head coach Rena Wakama, D’Tigress showcased resilience and tactical brilliance throughout the final match. They took an early lead in the first quarter, edging out Mali 26-21. The game remained fiercely contested in the second quarter, which ended in a 41-41 tie.
Nigeria pulled ahead in the third quarter with a 61-56 lead, and ultimately sealed their victory in the final stretch, outclassing Mali to secure the championship with a 14-point margin.
Beyond the continental triumph, the victory also earns D’Tigress a spot at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, set to take place in Germany. Meanwhile, Mali, Senegal, and South Africa will head to the playoffs in March 2026 to battle for remaining qualification spots.
This latest triumph reinforces D’Tigress’s position as Africa’s top women’s basketball team and sets the stage for their continued impact on the global stage.