Nigeria’s celebrated women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, arrived in Abuja on Monday afternoon to a hero’s welcome following their historic triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The team, along with officials, landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at around 2 p.m., returning with the championship trophy after defeating Mali 78–64 in a hard-fought final that secured Nigeria’s unprecedented fifth consecutive continental title and seventh overall.
The victory at the Palais des Sports de Treichville cemented D’Tigress’s dominance in African women’s basketball with a record 29 consecutive AfroBasket wins dating back to 2015. Despite a slow start where Mali took an early lead, Nigeria’s resilience and tactical prowess, led by Head Coach Rena Wakama, shifted momentum in the second half.
The team’s outstanding performers included Ezinne Kalu, whose 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists helped control the game’s tempo, and Amy Okonkwo, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, who contributed 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists.
The team’s journey to the championship was marked by a dramatic semifinal victory over Senegal often described as the “final before the final” where they overturned a double-digit deficit to secure their place in the final showdown against Mali.
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Upon their arrival, the Nigerian contingent was expected to receive a special presidential reception at Aso Rock Villa, underscoring the country’s pride in their achievement and the growing recognition of women’s sports on the continent. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had already praised the team’s remarkable feat, highlighting their role in inspiring the nation and elevating Nigeria’s status in African basketball.
D’Tigress’s success not only brings national adulation but also secures their qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, setting the stage for further international competition and showcasing the depth of Nigerian basketball talent on the world stage.
This triumphant return to Abuja is a fitting celebration of the team’s hard work, strategic excellence, and unwavering spirit qualities that have made Nigeria a powerhouse in African women’s basketball and continue to inspire future generations.
NAN
