By Amofokhai Williams
Nigeria’s women’s basketball juggernaut, D’Tigress, roared into the record books on Sunday, crushing Mali in a thrilling final to claim their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title and cement their status as queens of African basketball.
With a commanding 78–64 victory at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, the Rena Wakama-led squad not only retained their crown but also shattered records, becoming the first African team to win five AfroBasket titles in a row and extending their unbeaten run in the tournament to a staggering 28 games since 2015.
It was a tale of grit and fire. Mali struck first, ending the opening quarter with a 26–21 lead. But D’Tigress, known for their resilience, stormed back in the second quarter to level the scores at halftime (41–41).
The third quarter turned the tide, with Nigeria edging ahead 61–56. Then came the final blow: a lockdown defensive display that held Mali to just eight points, sealing a dominant 14-point win.
The historic triumph adds another jewel to Coach Rena Wakama’s glittering résumé. The 2023 trailblazer, celebrated as the first woman to lead a team to AfroBasket gold, has now won back-to-back titles in as many attempts, carving her name into coaching legend.
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D’Tigress’ journey to glory wasn’t without challenges. In the semifinals, they had to mount a fierce fourth-quarter comeback against Senegal. But each hurdle only strengthened their resolve.
Sunday’s emphatic victory over Mali not only confirmed their continental dominance but also secured Nigeria’s place in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, alongside fellow top-four finishers, Mali, Senegal, and South Sudan.
It’s been nearly a decade since Nigeria last tasted defeat at the AfroBasket, with their last loss coming on October 2, 2015, against Cameroon. Since then, D’Tigress have redefined excellence, resilience, and dominance.
