D’Tigress extend unbeaten run to 29 games, overpower Mali in fierce 2025 final showdown
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire — Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team has written an extraordinary new chapter in African basketball history, becoming the first team to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles. The D’Tigress achieved this unprecedented milestone with a gritty 78–64 victory over Mali in the championship game of the 2025 tournament held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The win not only gave Nigeria its fifth straight title but also extended the team’s remarkable unbeaten run to 29 consecutive games, a streak that began in the third-place game of the 2015 AfroBasket tournament in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Since then, Nigeria has become the undisputed powerhouse of African women’s basketball, and this latest triumph further cements their legacy as the most dominant team on the continent over the past decade.
Despite their impressive run, the road to the championship was anything but easy. Mali, unbeaten heading into the final and chasing their first Women’s AfroBasket title since 2007, pushed Nigeria to the edge in a contest that tested the champions’ resolve, depth, and mental fortitude. From the opening whistle, Mali brought intensity and physicality, contesting every shot, battling for every possession, and executing their game plan with sharp focus.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle that saw both teams exchange leads in a high-tempo encounter. Nigeria, as had been the case in their previous games, started slowly and had to work their way back into the contest. By halftime, the scoreboard read 41–41, a clear indication that the final was going to be decided by more than just talent, it would require heart, composure, and championship mentality.
When the teams returned from the locker room, Nigeria wasted no time in taking control. Mali opened the third quarter with a zone defense in an attempt to break the D’Tigress rhythm, but their plan unraveled quickly when Amy Okonkwo hit a three-pointer that gave Nigeria a 44–41 lead and swung momentum in their favor. From that point onward, Nigeria never trailed. They tightened up defensively, executed offensively, and began to gradually pull away, eventually securing a comfortable 14-point win.
Amy Okonkwo emerged as one of the standout figures of the final, and of the tournament as a whole. Playing with a clear mission to dominate physically and shoot with confidence, she delivered a stellar performance, scoring 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Okonkwo also played every minute of the final and was deservedly named the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Most Valuable Player (MVP). This marked her second MVP title, placing her among the elite in African basketball history alongside icons like Mfon Udoka, Aya Traore, and Nacissela Mauricio.
Supporting Okonkwo was the ever reliable Ezinne Kalu, who led Nigeria in scoring with 20 points, showcasing her ability to penetrate, finish, and lead the offense in crucial moments. Victoria Macaulay also played a key role in Nigeria’s success, and together the trio combined for 49 of the team’s 78 points, once again underlining their vital influence throughout the tournament.
While Nigeria celebrated victory, Sika Koné of Mali turned in an exceptional performance, finishing with a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds, doing everything she could to inspire her team. Mali, the top rebounding team in the tournament, edged Nigeria on the boards with a narrow 37–36 margin. However, their inability to connect from three-point range proved costly. Nigeria, in contrast, was clinical from beyond the arc and moved the ball with great efficiency, ending the game with 24 assists, eight more than their opponents.
Credit must be given to Mali for their fearless performance. They came into the final undefeated, played with urgency and passion, and forced Nigeria to dig deep in a contest that was arguably their toughest of the tournament. But as the saying goes, “Never underestimate the heart of a champion.” Nigeria proved once again that they have what it takes to win under pressure, combining experience, skill, and mental toughness to rise above their challengers.
Nigeria’s five straight AfroBasket titles now stand as a monumental record in African women’s basketball. No other team has achieved such consistency and dominance on the continental stage. This golden generation of Nigerian players, under the strategic leadership of head coach Rena Wakama, continues to inspire a new era of African basketball excellence.
As the final buzzer sounded and the Nigerian squad embraced in celebration, the magnitude of their achievement began to sink in. They were not just champions once again—they were history-makers. In Abidjan, they didn’t just defend a title; they defended a dynasty.
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