Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have reached a historic milestone, climbing to 8th place in the latest FIBA Women’s World Rankings — their highest position ever. According to the latest 9am News report, they remain the only African team to break into the global top 10, a testament to their unmatched dominance on the continent and growing reputation worldwide.
The reigning African champions recently secured their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title — their seventh overall — after defeating Mali in a thrilling final. This victory not only strengthened their continental supremacy but also sealed their qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
This rise in the rankings follows a string of historic performances. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, D’Tigress became the first African women’s basketball team to reach the quarter-finals, earning global respect. Their consistent AfroBasket victories and ability to challenge basketball powerhouses have made them one of the sport’s most feared teams.
With 640.1 ranking points, D’Tigress have leapfrogged basketball heavyweights Brazil and Serbia. The USA remain in first place, followed by Australia, France, China, and Belgium. Nigeria’s presence in this elite group signals a shift in global women’s basketball, with Africa firmly in the conversation.
Elsewhere in Africa, Mali climbed to 18th after their strong AfroBasket run, Senegal sit 25th, Mozambique 32nd, Cameroon 35th, and Egypt 43rd. South Sudan also delivered one of the year’s biggest surprises, soaring 31 places to 55th after clinching bronze in their debut AfroBasket tournament.
D’Tigress’ upward momentum has not only inspired basketball fans across Nigeria but also strengthened the country’s position as a hub for sporting excellence. With the World Cup on the horizon, all eyes will be on whether this trailblazing team can take their success to an even higher level.
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