Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has qualified for the semifinals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket after a commanding 83-47 victory over Cameroon. The win sets up a highly anticipated matchup against Senegal, a repeat of the 2023 Afrobasket final in Rwanda.
The Nigerian team dominated the game from the start, winning the first quarter 21-9. Although Cameroon tied the second quarter 20-20, Nigeria’s African champions raised their game to another level in the third quarter, winning 25-2. The D’Tigress maintained their lead in the fourth quarter, winning 17-16 and securing a 36-point margin.
Captain Amy Okonkwo led Nigeria’s statistics with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist, while Anamosi Nichole contributed 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Coach Rene Wakama praised his team’s performance, saying, “Credit to Cameroon because in the first half, they refused to go away. But my message in the half to the girls is that we must come out and be dominant, and the girls responded 25 to 2 in the third quarter.”
Looking ahead to the semifinal match against Senegal, Wakama noted, “On Saturday, it’s going to be a great game, and it will definitely be emotional for some, and that is basketball. But we know our mission here, and we will not allow anything to change that.”
The win not only secures Nigeria’s spot in the semifinals but also qualifies them for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments.
A repeat of the 2023 Afrobasket final, this matchup promises to be intense and emotional.
Mali’s experienced team takes on the tournament debutants, who have made a historic run in the competition.
The four teams in the semifinals have all qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments, with the winner of the Afrobasket set to receive an automatic ticket to the World Cup.
