Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have once again asserted their dominance on the continent, claiming their fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket championship with a convincing 78-64 win over Mali in the final. The victory, achieved under the leadership of head coach Rena Wakama, also marks Nigeria’s seventh AfroBasket title in history and extends their unbeaten streak in the tournament to 29 games, solidifying their status as Africa’s basketball powerhouse. With the win, D’Tigress have also secured automatic qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, set to be hosted in Germany. The game, played in front of an electric crowd, saw the Nigerian side take control early, edging Mali 26-21 in the first quarter. The second quarter was fiercely contested, with both teams locked at 41-41 going into halftime. D’Tigress, however, shifted gears in the second half, outclassing their West African rivals 61-56 at the end of the third quarter before sealing the win in the final stretch. In addition to Nigeria’s direct qualification, Mali, Senegal, and South Africa will battle it out in a playoff tournament in March 2026 for another slot at the World Cup. D’Tigress’ latest triumph cements their legacy as the most dominant force in African women’s basketball and raises expectations ahead of their appearance on the global stage in 2026.
D’Tigress Clinch Fifth Consecutive Women’s AfroBasket Title, Qualify for 2026 World Cup
