BREAKING NEWS: Nigeria’s D’Tigress Defeat Senegal 75–68 to Reach 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Final — Extend Historic Unbeaten Streak to 28 Games

 

August 3, 2025 - Lagos, Nigeria.

In a stunning display of resilience, teamwork, and athletic excellence, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has once again made history by defeating their longtime rivals Senegal 75–68 in the semi-final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship.

The victory, which took place at the packed BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, sees Nigeria advance to the final for the fifth consecutive time, extending their unbeaten streak to 28 games in the continental tournament, the longest in AfroBasket women’s history.

A Battle of Titans

The Nigeria vs Senegal fixture lived up to its billing, with both teams locking horns in a fiercely contested semi-final. D’Tigress started strong, dominating the first quarter with a 21–12 lead. Senegal bounced back in the second quarter with aggressive rebounding and sharp perimeter shooting, narrowing the score to 36–35 at halftime.
However, the Nigerian team, led by captain Ezinne Kalu and standout forward Amy Okonkwo, regrouped in the third quarter. Their defensive coordination and fast breaks proved too much for Senegal to contain. A late fourth-quarter rally by the Senegalese was quickly neutralized as D’Tigress held on to secure a deserved 75–68 win.

Star Performers Shine

- Ezinne Kalu contributed 19 points and 6 assists, showing veteran leadership under pressure. 

- Amy Okonkwo posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. 

- Elizabeth Balogun came off the bench with three clutch 3-pointers that shifted the game’s momentum late in the third quarter.

Coach Rena Wakama Reacts

Head Coach Rena Wakama, who became the first female to lead D’Tigress to a continental title in 2023, praised her squad’s tenacity and focus:

> “This was more than just a win — it was a statement. These women have carried Nigeria on their backs for years, and they continue to raise the bar for African basketball. We’re not done yet — our eyes are on the trophy.”

Rivalry Rekindled
The Nigeria-Senegal rivalry remains one of the fiercest in African women’s sports. The last time Senegal defeated D’Tigress in AfroBasket was in 2015. Since then, Nigeria has turned the tide, asserting dominance with back-to-back wins, including the 2017 and 2019 finals.

Reactions Pour In

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated the team in a statement released via the presidency:

> “Our daughters have made Nigeria proud again. D’Tigress exemplifies the strength, determination, and unity of this nation. The entire country is behind them as they aim for the crown once more.”

Social media erupted with support from celebrities, athletes, and fans alike. The hashtag #DTigressToTheFinal trended across Nigerian Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok within minutes of the final buzzer.

What’s Next?

D’Tigress will now face either Mali or Mozambique in the AfroBasket final scheduled for August 5, 2025. A victory will mark Nigeria’s *fourth consecutive AfroBasket title*, further cementing their place as Africa’s basketball powerhouse.

Legacy in the Making
With this win, D’Tigress not only edge closer to another trophy but also continue inspiring a generation of young African girls to pursue sports at the highest level. Their mix of local and international talent, discipline, and patriotic spirit paints a promising future for basketball in Nigeria.