Nigeria’s D’Tigress have secured their place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIBA Africa Women’s AfroBasket Championship with a hard-fought 60-55 victory over Mozambique, continuing their dominant run in the tournament. The defending champions now top Group D with a perfect 2-0 record and extend their unbeaten streak in the competition to 26 games, a remarkable feat dating back to 2015.
The clash in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, lived up to its billing as one of the fiercest encounters of this year’s AfroBasket campaign. Both teams went head-to-head in a tightly contested battle that showcased their skill, grit, and determination to advance. Mozambique, considered one of the favourites, gave Nigeria a real test, matching them point for point for most of the 40 minutes.
But when it mattered most, Nigeria’s experience and resilience shone through.
Leading the charge was 2019 AfroBasket MVP Ezinne Kalu, who put up an exceptional performance under pressure. Kalu notched a game-high 16 points and five steals, proving once again why she remains a critical player for the D’Tigress in tight contests. Her presence on both ends of the floor disrupted Mozambique’s rhythm and was instrumental in turning the tide in Nigeria’s favour.
Also stepping up was Murjanatu Musa, who delivered a vital double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds. Together, Kalu and Musa carried the team during tough moments and ensured Nigeria stayed on course.
Mozambique’s undoing came in the form of costly turnovers. They committed 20 in total, allowing Nigeria to score 22 points off those errors. The reigning champions wasted no opportunity in capitalizing, using their opponent’s mistakes as fuel to stay ahead in the game.
After the win, D’Tigress forward Amy Okonkwo acknowledged Mozambique’s strength:
“Mozambique is a really good team. They’re well-coached, they ran their plays well, and they played beautifully together. It was a tough game, but we pulled it out. At first, they were playing harder than us, but we found our rhythm and started making defensive stops. I think that was the difference between us.”
With this result, Nigeria’s women remain unbeaten in AfroBasket for a decade—an extraordinary achievement that underscores their legacy in African women’s basketball.
Earlier in the day, Uganda’s Gazelles stunned record champions Senegal in a thrilling 73-70 overtime battle, becoming the first team to book a quarterfinal ticket. The match was a rematch of their narrow 2023 encounter, and once again, Uganda emerged victorious, topping Group C in dramatic fashion.
9am News report confirms that the Gazelles’ consistency and Senegal’s failure to finish strong made the difference, setting the tone for what promises to be an electrifying quarterfinal lineup.
As the quarterfinals approach, all eyes remain on Nigeria’s D’Tigress to continue their historic run and defend their title in style.
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