 2nd August at the 2025 FIBA Women’s){kind=link}
Nigeria’s D’Tigress are primed for a blockbuster semifinal showdown against Senegal today (Saturday) 2nd August at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, following their commanding 83-47 win over Cameroon on Thursday night in Abidjan.
The dominant quarterfinal performance at the Palais des Sports de Treichville extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run at the tournament to 27 games — a streak that underlines their sustained dominance in African women’s basketball.
Saturday’s encounter carries an added emotional edge, as D’Tigress will face former head coach Otis Hughley, now in charge of Senegal. Hughley led Nigeria to multiple AfroBasket titles and World Cup appearances before being succeeded by current coach Rena Wakama.
“It’s going to be a great game and definitely emotional for some — that’s basketball,” Wakama said. “But we know our mission here, and we won’t let anything distract us. It’ll be emotional and very physical.”
Senegal punched their ticket to the last four with a hard-fought 66-60 victory over hosts Ivory Coast, setting up an all-West African clash packed with high stakes and rich history.
With Thursday’s win, Nigeria also clinched the final African spot for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, adding further significance to their semifinal berth.
Forward Murjanatu Musa praised the team’s chemistry and focus ahead of the Senegal clash.
“We played as a team, doing what we do best — and this is the result,” Musa said. “It feels great to be in the semifinals again. We’ll give our best to reach the final.”
Veteran guard Ezinne Kalu echoed the confidence in the squad and highlighted the team’s signature playing style.
“This is Nigerian basketball: fighting, throwing the first punch, setting the tone, and bringing the energy,” Kalu said. “We’re excited to play Senegal. They’re a great team, but so are we.”
D’Tigress are chasing history as they aim to become the first team to win five consecutive AfroBasket titles. Both Nigeria and Senegal currently share the record with four straight wins each.
The winner of today’s clash will advance to the final to face either Mali or South Sudan, who meet in the other semifinal.