AfroBasket 2025: Nigeria’s D’Tigress Battle Mali For Fifth Consecutive Crown Today
Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, will this evening lock horns with arch-rivals Mali in the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as they look to cement their dominance on the continent.
The reigning champions reached the final after edging past Senegal 75–68 in a tightly contested semi-final clash on Saturday.
Rena Wakama’s charges held their nerve in the closing stages to book a spot in today’s title decider.
Their opponents, Mali, on their part, swept aside South Sudan with a convincing 76–50 victory to set up the final showdown against Nigeria.
The two sides are no strangers to each other, having met in the 2021 final in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where Nigeria triumphed 70–59.
D’Tigress, who are gunning for a historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket title, have not lost a game in the competition since 2015 and currently boast a remarkable 28-game winning streak in the tournament.
A win today will not only extend that unbeaten run but also etch their name further into the history books as the first team to win five straight titles.
Mali, champions in 2007, will be looking to exact revenge and end their 18-year title drought. But standing in their way is a well-drilled Nigerian side known for their discipline, cohesion and depth on the court.
Tip-off is scheduled for later this evening at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, with basketball fans across the continent eagerly anticipating a fierce and entertaining finale.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
