D’Tigress Dominate Rwanda to Open Afrobasket Title Defence in Style

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, launched their 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket campaign with an emphatic 92-45 win over Rwanda on Saturday, asserting their dominance as defending champions in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Sport360NG reports.

The six-time African champions, who have remained unbeaten in the competition since the 2015 semi-finals, maintained their flawless run with a commanding display at the Palais des Sports de Treichville. Nigeria controlled the game from start to finish, winning all four quarters 17-8, 28-17, 26-12, and 21-8.

Led by coach Rena Wakama, the Nigerian side impressed both offensively and defensively. D’Tigress attempted 70 field goals, converting 35, and racked up 44 rebounds, 25 assists, 14 steals, and two blocks. Rwanda, in contrast, managed 15 successful shots from 52 attempts, with 28 rebounds, 11 assists, nine steals, three blocks, and 22 costly turnovers.

Elizabeth Balogun led Nigeria’s scoring with 18 points and four rebounds, while Victoria Macaulay added 13 points. Murjanatu Musa chipped in 12 points and five rebounds, Ifunaya Okoro contributed 11 points, and Amy Okonkwo finished with 10 points and four rebounds. All 12 Nigerian players got on the scoreboard, including debutant Vera Ojenuwa, who marked her first appearance with four points.

For Rwanda, Destiney Philoxy was the standout performer, scoring 11 points and grabbing four rebounds. Keisha Hampton also reached double digits with 10 points in a difficult outing for the East Africans.

Nigeria will take on Mozambique in their final group game on Monday. A win would guarantee D’Tigress a spot in the quarter-finals as they continue their pursuit of a seventh continental crown.