Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have risen to become the undisputed powerhouse of African basketball, with a legacy built on consistency, skill and unmatched team spirit.
Over the past two decades, they have etched their name into the history books of the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket, claiming the continental crown six times, and counting.
Two years later, they defended their crown in front of home fans in Abuja, winning the 2005 edition to establish Nigeria as a serious contender in the women’s game.
After a brief quiet spell, D’Tigress roared back in 2017 with a new generation of stars. Dominating the tournament in Mali without a single loss, they began what would become a historic run.
That momentum carried them through the 2019 edition in Senegal, where they silenced a packed Dakar Arena to lift their fourth title.
The victories kept coming – in 2021 (Cameroon) and 2023 (Rwanda) – as they stormed to back-to-back unbeaten campaigns, defeating continental giants like Senegal along the way.
With four consecutive titles now under their belt (2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023), D’Tigress stand on the brink of an unprecedented achievement.
In their quest to set a new record, D’Tigress continued their stranglehold on African women’s basketball with a dominant 83–47 victory over Cameroon on Thursday night, booking their place in the semifinals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The quarterfinal clash, held at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, was a one-sided affair from the opening tip. Nigeria raced to a 41–29 halftime lead before completely shutting down the Lionesses in the second half, outscoring them 42-18 to seal a massive 36-point win.
Amy Okonkwo led the way for D’Tigress, delivering a standout performance with 18 points, six rebounds and an assist. She was well supported by Nicole Enabosi and Victoria Macaulay, who both added 12 points, while Elizabeth Balogun chipped in 11.
In a major boost to the squad, the captain of the team, Sarah Ogoke returned to action after missing the group stage. She made an instant impact, draining a smooth three-pointer early in the game that helped lift the team’s energy and tempo.
Remarkably, all 12 players on the Nigerian roster saw action – and each one scored – underscoring the team’s impressive depth and unity.
The head coach, Rena Wakama, commended her players for their complete team effort, noting their discipline and execution on both ends of the court.
Coach Wakama who said the quarterfinal match against Cameroon was tough despite the score-line, said the Senegal match would not only be another difficult game but one that would be full of emotions, but they would surely be ready for it.
“Credit to Cameroon because in the first half they refused to go away, but my message in the half to the girls is that we must come out and be dominant, and they responded 25 to 2 in the third quarter.
“On Saturday (tonight) it is going to be a great game, and it will definitely be emotional for some; and that is basketball. We know our mission here and we will not allow anything to change that, but as I said, it is going to be an emotional game and very physical as well,” Wakama concluded.
The win extends D’Tigress’ unbeaten run in the AfroBasket to 27 games, a streak that stretches back to 2015. Fittingly, their last loss came at the hands of Cameroon in the semifinals that year, making Thursday’s emphatic win all the more satisfying.
Nigeria had earlier breezed through Group D, starting their campaign with a 92-45 rout of Rwanda before edging a tough 60-55 battle against Mozambique to finish top and earn direct passage to the quarterfinals.
Standing between D’Tigress and a place in the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket is none other than long-time rivals, Senegal, who they will face in a highly anticipated semi-final showdown.
Senegal secured their spot in the last four with a hard fought 66-60 win over tournament hosts, Côte d’Ivoire in a tense quarterfinal clash. Adding even more intrigue to the matchup, the Senegalese are coached by Otis Hughley, a former D’Tigress tactician who led Nigeria to multiple AfroBasket titles during his successful reign. The American is assisted by a Nigerian and former D’Tigress assistant coach, Peter Favour Ahmedu.
With Hughley now on the opposite bench, the encounter promises not just to be fierce but emotional subplots and tactical familiarity, setting the stage for a dramatic meeting of Africa’s basketball powerhouses.
As the semifinals draw near, D’Tigress remain firmly focused on their ultimate goal: capturing a historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket title, a feat that would make them the first team in the tournament’s history to achieve such dominance.
With legacy and history on the line, Nigeria’s women are chasing more than just another trophy, they are chasing immortality. Their emphatic quarterfinal win has also earned them a coveted spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments, moving them one step closer to the global stage.
Nigeria, Mali, Senegal and South Sudan have secured spots among the 24 national teams set to compete in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 qualifying tournaments.
The qualifiers will be divided into four tournaments, each featuring six teams. From these events, 16 teams will emerge to book their places at the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany.
Notably, the winner of the 2025 AfroBasket will earn an automatic qualification to the World Cup, bypassing the final round of qualifiers.
So there is so much to play for when two of the most formidable women basketball teams clash on Sunday, August 3 to decide who plays the title deciding match on
In a chat with the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), Vice President Babs Ogunade expressed delight at the team’s performance so far, but urged them to remain focused and approach their next game with caution. “Naturally and expectedly, I am happy at the team’s progress in this tournament. You know, in basketball it is one game at a time. We are facing a strong opponent and we need to be careful. This is not the time to get carried away. The next game is crucial, and we must maintain discipline and intensity. The girls are in high spirits and we are looking forward to them getting to the final,” he said.
Similarly, the director-general of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has expressed immense pride in D’Tigress following their emphatic quarterfinal victory.
Reacting to the result, Olopade hailed the team’s performance as a “masterclass,” noting that their effort has brought joy to millions of Nigerians.
“I am very happy to see our D’Tigress in a jubilant mood after their victory last night against Cameroon in the quarterfinals of the AfroBasket in Abidjan. It was a master-class performance from you girls. The entire country is very proud of what you have done so far at the tournament,” he said on X.
He further encouraged the players to remain focused and determined as they head into the semifinal showdown.
“Two more wins before Mission 5 in a row is accomplished. Let’s stay focused and hungry for the semifinal game against Senegal; and be rest assured that the entire country is behind you,” he said.
Nigeria’s D’Tigress remain unbeaten in the tournament and are widely tipped as favourites to retain the crown they have held since 2017.
More than just trophies, D’Tigress represent a growing force in global women’s basketball – a team of resilience, unity and pride. Now, with history, just one title away, the stage is set for their greatest triumph yet.
