The victory marks Nigeria’s seventh AfroBasket title and fifth consecutive championship, following previous wins in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023. D’Tigress now boast a remarkable 28-game unbeaten run in the tournament since 2015.
Despite Mali starting strong and taking a 26–21 lead in the first quarter, the game was tied 41–41 at halftime. Nigeria took control in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter, outscoring Mali 23–10 to secure the win.
In the semifinal, Nigeria defeated Senegal 75–68 after overturning a third-quarter deficit with a dominant finish, led by key performances from Ezinne Kalu, Amy Okonkwo, Promise Amukamara, and Victoria Macaulay.
Head coach Rena Wakama, the first woman to coach the D’Tigress and the reigning FIBA Coach of the Year after her success at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has been instrumental in the team’s continued dominance on the continent.
This final was a rematch of the 2021 championship game, which Nigeria also won. Both sides featured several returning players, adding intensity to one of the most enduring rivalries in African women’s basketball.
With this victory, the D’Tigress have also secured automatic qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin.
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