D’Tigress Make History Beating Mali 78-64 with Fifth Straight AfroBasket Title

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, reaffirmed their dominance on the continent with a commanding 78-64 win over Mali in Abidjan on Sunday, clinching a historic fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title, Sport360NG reports.

With this latest triumph, Nigeria has now won the championship a record seven times and become the first team in AfroBasket history to win five straight titles, surpassing Senegal’s previous record of four consecutive titles between 1974 and 1981.

Coach Rena Wakama’s side extended their remarkable unbeaten run in the tournament to 29 games, a streak that dates back to 2015. The win also guarantees Nigeria an automatic place at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

D’Tigress exploded out of the blocks with an early 12-0 run, applying immediate pressure on their West African rivals. However, Mali responded well to take the first quarter 26-21. Nigeria fought back to level the game at halftime, with both teams tied 41-41 after a 20-15 second quarter in favour of the defending champions.

From there, D’Tigress took control, edging the third quarter 20-15 and sealing the game with a dominant 17-8 fourth-quarter display to secure yet another continental crown.

Amy Okonkwo, named tournament MVP for the second time in a row, was at the heart of Nigeria’s victory, posting 19 points and nine rebounds in a full 40-minute shift. She shot nearly 64% from the field and tallied a game-high efficiency rating of 26.

Guard Ezinne Kalu led all scorers with 20 points, also chipping in five assists, four rebounds, and converting all four of her free throws. Murjanatu Musa added strength in the paint with 12 rebounds and nine points, while Promise Amukamara orchestrated the offense with a game-high 11 assists and a +16 plus-minus rating despite scoring just eight points.

Victoria Macaulay added valuable depth off the bench, contributing 10 points as Nigeria’s starters laid the foundation for victory. Although Mali’s bench slightly outscored Nigeria’s 26-22, the defending champions’ starting five proved decisive.

D’Tigress were clinical on offense, shooting 49.18% from the field compared to Mali’s 37%. Inside scoring proved key, with Nigeria converting nearly 60% of their two-point attempts. They also outscored Mali in the paint 40-26 and capitalised on turnovers, turning 17 Malian errors into 17 points.

Defensively, Nigeria kept their discipline, limiting fouls to just 13 and not allowing Mali many easy opportunities. Despite trailing slightly in rebounds (36 to Mali’s 37), they secured 27 defensive boards, limiting second-chance points for the opposition.

President Bola Tinubu joined Nigerians in celebrating the team’s success, describing their performance as a source of immense national pride.

“You did it, girls! D’Tigress – Superb performance to become five-time consecutive champions of Africa and seventh overall. Well done, Coach Rena and the team. You have made Nigeria proud,” Tinubu posted on X.

For Mali, it was another painful AfroBasket final defeat, their third after previous losses to Senegal in 2009 and Nigeria in 2021. Despite fielding a youthful squad averaging 24 years in age, compared to Nigeria’s 28, they couldn’t match D’Tigress’ experience when it mattered most.

The final also added another chapter to the growing rivalry between both nations. Heading into Sunday’s showdown, Nigeria and Mali were tied at three wins apiece in previous AfroBasket meetings. Nigeria’s latest victory now tilts the balance in their favour.

Elsewhere, South Sudan claimed their first-ever AfroBasket medal, edging Senegal 66-65 in a thrilling third-place playoff. Alongside Mali and Senegal, they will enter the qualification pathway for the 2026 Women’s World Cup, a sign of the growing depth and competitiveness in African women’s basketball.