History makers: D’Tigress win fifth consecutive Afrobasket title

Nigeria’s D’Tigress, yesterday, in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, became the first team to win five consecutive titles when they defeated Mali 78-64 in the final game of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket.
In a game that was closer than pundits predicted, the Nigerians dug deep into their reservoir to finally outmuscle the gutsy Malians and become the only nation to win more consecutive women’s AfroBasket titles than any other nation.
But the 78-64 victory was one of Nigeria’s toughest of the tournament.
When the Nigerians defeated Senegal in the semifinal of the championship to set the stage for the final against Mali, many at the Palais des Sports de Treichville felt the D’Tigress would stroll to the title due to the pedigree of the Senegalese.
But against a Malian team inspired by the tricky Sika Kone, the Rena Wakama girls were taken to the top shelve up. They lost the opening quarter and drew the second.
With this win, Nigeria extended their winning streak to 29-0, dating back to the third-place game of the 2015 tournament in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
As was the case for most of their initial games in the tournament, Nigeria got off to a slow start. But feeling threatened by Mali’s intensity, Rena Wakama’s team regrouped in the second quarter and headed to the locker room tied at 41–41.
Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu led the charge for D’Tigress with 11 points apiece, while Sika Koné was Mali’s top performer with 11 points, the only Malian player in double figures at halftime.
Statistically, Nigeria had the edge in two-point field goals, shooting 70.59 per cent compared to Mali’s 55 per cent. Mali, however, were more efficient from beyond the arc, converting 40 per cent of their three-point attempts against Nigeria’s 33.33 per cent.
From the free-throw line, Nigeria held a narrow advantage at 71.43 per cent to Mali’s 70 per cent.
Nigeria is the only nation to win more consecutive Women’s AfroBasket titles than any other nation.
Amy Okonkwo stepped onto the court with one specific task: Shoot and play physical.
She was 7-for-11 from the field, including 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, and finished with 19 points. Ezinne Kalu led Nigeria in scoring with 20 points.
Sika Koné did everything in her power to help Mali win their first Women’s AfroBasket since 2007.
However, her 16 points and 13 rebounds were no match for Nigeria, who have been Africa’s most dominant team since 2015.
Hoping to stop Nigeria’s momentum, Mali started the quarter with a zone defense, but they soon changed their strategy when Okonkwo hit a three-pointer, giving Nigeria a 44-41 lead.
From that moment on, Mali chased Nigeria for the rest of the game. Nigeria eventually settled for a 14-point victory.
With 49 points between them, Amy Okonkwo, Ezinne Kalu, and Victoria Macaulay accounted for more than half of Nigeria’s 78 points, reminding everyone of their crucial role in the team’s success throughout the tournament.
Okonkwo spent the entire game on the floor and was eventually named the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Most Valuable Player (MVP).
She has now joined a unique group of players with two MVP awards, alongside Mfon Udoka (2003 and 2005), Aya Traore (2009 and 2015), and Nacissela Mauricio (2011 and 2013).
As expected, Mali, the tournament’s leading rebounding team, won the battle in the paint with one more board (37-36) than Nigeria.
However, it was their Achilles heel – three-point shooting—that hindered their chances. Nigeria, on the other hand, moved the ball exceptionally well, finishing with 24 assists – eight more than Mali.
Both Nigeria and Mali were undefeated in four games, but only Nigeria protected their winning record in Abidjan.
The bottom line is that it was never going to be an easy game for Nigeria, and Mali made that clear.
Mali came out with a sense of urgency, battling for every possession, contesting every shot, and playing the most physically demanding game Nigeria had seen in Abidjan.
However, as the saying goes, “Never underestimate the heart of a champion.” Nigeria immediately looked for answers, but found them through aggressive play, and a discipline offensive play.
Credit must be given where it’s due. Mali deservedly took home the silver medal, while Nigeria stood tall for their fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket title. They are the first team to win African titles in a row