Africa’s basketball powerhouse, D’Tigress of Nigeria, cemented their dominance on the continent by claiming a record-breaking fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title on Sunday, following a convincing 78-64 victory over Mali in the final held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The historic win further solidifies Nigeria’s status as the most formidable women’s basketball team in Africa.
The highly anticipated clash began with a strong statement from the Malian side, who looked poised to dethrone the defending champions.
Mali seized the initiative early, winning the first quarter 26-21, showcasing intensity and strategic ball movement that momentarily unsettled the Nigerians.
However, D’Tigress regrouped and demonstrated the hallmark of champions, resilience.
In the second quarter, the Nigerian ladies regained their rhythm and narrowed the gap with a 20-15 quarter win, leveling the tempo of the game and forcing Mali into several turnovers through their aggressive pressing defense.
The third quarter saw Nigeria turn the tide completely in their favour. With increased tempo, precision shooting, and defensive discipline, D’Tigress once again edged Mali 20-15, taking control of the game.
Captain Amy Okonkwo, along with standout players like Elizabeth Balogun and Promise Amukamara, played key roles in keeping the scoreboard ticking for Nigeria.
With victory in sight, the final quarter was a showcase of Nigerian dominance. D’Tigress shut down Mali’s offense almost entirely, outscoring them 17-8 in a clinical finish that underscored their championship mentality.
The team’s bench depth and tactical flexibility proved decisive in maintaining momentum until the final buzzer.
This triumph marks Nigeria’s seventh AfroBasket title overall, and their fifth in a row following victories in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023.
The win not only extends their unbeaten run in the competition to 25 consecutive games but also qualifies them for upcoming global competitions, reaffirming their growing influence on the world basketball stage.