Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress have booked their place in the final of the ongoing 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship after a hard-fought 75–68 victory over the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal in a thrilling semi-final clash on Saturday night in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The game lived up to its billing as a battle of African heavyweights. Eleven-time champions Senegal were aiming to extend their record with a 12th continental title, while Nigeria, winners of the last four editions, were equally determined to continue their dominance and set records for the first national team, Men or Women to win five consecutive Afrobasket titles.
D’Tigress edged a closely contested first quarter 22–17, showcasing pace, precision, and intensity. The second quarter remained tight, but Nigeria held firm to take it 21–20, finishing first half with a 43-37 win despite Senegal’s aggressive and physical play.
Senegal however roared back as the game resumed in the third quarter with a commanding 21–9 run, capitalizing on Nigeria’s dip in energy and pace to seize momentum and take a 68–62 lead with just over seven minutes left on the clock.
But true to their champion pedigree, D’Tigress mounted a remarkable comeback like they did in their second group game against Mozambique. With relentless defence and clinical finishing, they closed the game on a 23–10 run to secure a memorable 75–68 win.
Veteran guard Ezinne Kalu led the charge with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. The victory sends Nigeria to their fifth consecutive AfroBasket final, as they look to capture a historic fifth straight continental title.
Elsewhere in the second semifinal game, former champions Mali thrashed the debutants South Sudan 76-50 with Ole Miss Rebels veteran guard Sira Thienou leading the charge with 14 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
D’Tigress will now face Mali in the final today, Sunday August 3rd, while the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal and Bright Starlets of South Sudan will fight for the bronze medal.