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Nigeria Makes History with Fifth Straight Women’s AfroBasket Title

D’Tigress defeats Mali 78–64 to win the 2025 Women's AfroBasket, becoming the first African team to claim five consecutive titles

In a historic showdown that will be remembered for years, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, defeated Mali 78–64 to win their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title, becoming the first African nation to achieve such a feat.

The 9am News report confirms that Nigeria has now won 29 straight AfroBasket games, a streak that began after a third-place finish in 2015. This dominant run reinforces Nigeria’s status as Africa’s undisputed women’s basketball powerhouse.

Mali gave Nigeria its toughest challenge yet in the 2025 tournament. Both teams entered halftime tied at 41–41, after a competitive first half. But early in the third quarter, Amy Okonkwo’s three-pointer sparked Nigeria’s momentum, forcing Mali out of their zone defense strategy and into panic mode.

From that moment, Nigeria took control, slowly building their lead and never looking back. Despite a strong performance by Sika Koné, who finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, Mali couldn’t catch up.

Star Performances Seal Victory

Amy Okonkwo was phenomenal, finishing with 19 points and earning the 2025 MVP award. She shot 7-for-11 from the field, including 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, and played the entire game.
Ezinne Kalu led the team in scoring with 20 points, while Victoria Macaulay added critical contributions.
Together, the trio scored 49 of Nigeria’s 78 points over half the team’s total.

Okonkwo now joins the elite list of multiple-time AfroBasket MVPs, including Mfon Udoka, Aya Traore, and Nacissela Mauricio.

Though Mali edged Nigeria in total rebounds (37–36), their poor three-point shooting proved costly. Nigeria, on the other hand, displayed excellent ball movement and offensive discipline, finishing with 24 assists, compared to Mali’s 16.

This was no walk in the park. Mali came out aggressive, contested every play, and played with heart. But Nigeria, driven by experience, depth, and championship mentality, answered with resilience and precise execution.