Cameroon stormed into the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket with a commanding 85–64 victory over Angola in the opening qualification game on Wednesday, setting up a blockbuster clash against reigning champions Nigeria.
The Central African side will now face D’Tigress on Thursday night at 10 p.m. at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as the Nigerians resume their quest for a historic fifth consecutive continental crown.
Nigeria, who topped their group and earned a direct berth into the last eight, enter the tie well-rested and brimming with confidence.
But they’ll be fully aware of the threat Cameroon poses, especially as they remain the last team to defeat D’Tigress at the Afrobasket, claiming a narrow 71–70 win in the 2015 semifinals in Yaoundé.
Since that painful loss, Nigeria have been unstoppable in the competition, stringing together an incredible unbeaten run and lifting the title in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023.
A win on Thursday would put them on track to become the first team, men’s or women’s, to clinch five Afrobasket titles in a row.
Cameroon will look to their explosive backcourt duo of Jessica Thomas and Joelly Emmanuelle Claude Belleka, who are averaging 16 and 15 points per game, respectively.
Their speed and scoring prowess will test the defensive mettle of D’Tigress.
Earlier on Thursday, Uganda opened the quarterfinal proceedings against debutants South Sudan.
The day’s action will also see Mali go head-to-head with Mozambique, while hosts Côte d’Ivoire take on Senegal in a thrilling nightcap backed by a lively home crowd.