Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, will aim to build on their dominant start when they face Mozambique in their second Group D fixture of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket today, Monday 28th July in Abidjan.
The match, scheduled for 4 p.m. Nigerian time at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, presents coach Rena Wakama’s side with an opportunity to seal a quarter-final berth with a game to spare.
Fresh off a commanding 92–45 win over Rwanda on Saturday, the six-time African champions are looking to extend their unbeaten run in the competition. D’Tigress have not lost a game at the Women’s AfroBasket since the semi-final of the 2015 edition.
The reigning champions were ruthless in their opener, winning all four quarters convincingly while showcasing both depth and discipline across the roster. Elizabeth Balogun led the scoring with 18 points, supported by veterans Victoria Macaulay (13) and Murjanatu Musa (12).
Mozambique also made a winning start, dispatching Rwanda 72–55. A dominant first-half performance proved key, as they took control early and closed out strongly in the final quarter. The result sets up today’s clash as a potential decider for the group’s top spot.
Historically, Nigeria have dominated this rivalry, winning eight of their last 10 meetings. Their most recent encounter was at the quarter-final stage of the 2023 AfroBasket, where D’Tigress edged Mozambique 59–52. In 2021, Nigeria also claimed a 67–50 group-stage win, while Mozambique’s last victory came back in the 2013 quarter-finals.
Statistically, Nigeria have outperformed their opponents so far in the tournament, averaging 92 points per game to Mozambique’s 72. D’Tigress also lead in rebounds (47 to 46), assists (25 to 20), and free-throw percentage (83.3% to 56.5%). Their two-point shooting accuracy (58.3%) and defensive pressure were evident in their dismantling of Rwanda.
With in-form players like Balogun, Macaulay, Amy Okonkwo, and Ifunaya Okoro, Nigeria enter the fixture as clear favourites and coach Wakama is expected to maintain her balanced rotation, blending experience with rising talents such as Vera Ojenuwa, who marked her debut with points on Saturday.
D’Tigress are chasing a record-extending seventh continental title and have made a strong early statement in Abidjan.