Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, secured a historic fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title with a commanding 78–64 victory over Mali in the final held on Sunday at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Côte d’Ivoire.
The win cemented D’Tigress as the first team in African basketball history to win five AfroBasket championships in a row, a feat unmatched in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
A Battle of Histories
Heading into the final, both teams were chasing significant milestones. Nigeria sought to extend its dominance and secure an unprecedented fifth title in a row, while Mali hoped to claim only their second AfroBasket crown—and their first in 18 years.
Mali started brightly, taking control in the first quarter with a 26–21 lead through aggressive play. But D’Tigress responded emphatically, going on a 12–0 run in the second quarter. Nigeria edged the quarter 20–15, and both teams entered halftime tied at 41–41.
Standout Performances
Ezinne Kalu and Amy Okonkwo led the Nigerian offense with 11 points each in the first half, while Sika Koné was Mali’s top performer with 11 points—the only Malian to reach double digits by halftime.
In the second half, Nigeria’s resilience shone through. They edged the third quarter 20–15, giving them a 61–56 lead heading into the final frame. From there, they maintained control to close out the game and seal their place in the record books.
By the Numbers
Two-point shooting: Nigeria outperformed Mali, converting 70.6% of their shots to Mali’s 55%.
Three-pointers: Mali held a slight edge, making 40% from beyond the arc compared to Nigeria’s 33.3%.
Free throws: Nigeria were slightly more accurate, shooting 71.4% to Mali’s 70%.
D’Tigress’ victory underscores their continued dominance in African women’s basketball and sets a new standard for excellence on the continent.
D’Tigress Make History With Fifth Straight AfroBasket Title
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