Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have claimed their fifth straight FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title following a commanding 78-64 victory over Mali in the final.
The historic win, which took place on Saturday, marks the seventh time Nigeria has lifted the coveted continental trophy, further cementing their dominance in African women’s basketball.
Led by head coach Rena Wakama, D’Tigress extended their remarkable unbeaten run at the AfroBasket tournament to 29 games — a streak that spans multiple editions and stands as the longest in the competition’s modern era.
The victory also secured Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, which will be hosted in Germany. They become the first African team to book their place at the global showpiece.
D’Tigress began the final strongly, taking a 26-21 lead in the first quarter. Mali, however, rallied in the second quarter to draw level at 41-41 by halftime, setting the stage for a tense second half.
But the Nigerians regained control in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 20-15 to establish a 61-56 lead. They maintained the momentum in the final quarter, sealing the game with a dominant finish to end the contest 78-64.
With this triumph, Nigeria not only reaffirmed their continental supremacy but also set the tone for their World Cup preparations. Meanwhile, Mali, Senegal, and South Africa will compete in the African playoffs slated for March 2026 for another available World Cup slot.
The achievement adds another feather to the cap of D’Tigress, whose consistency and dominance continue to inspire a new generation of basketball talent across the continent.
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