Nigeria extended their dominance in African women’s basketball on Sunday, defeating Mali 78-64 in Ivory Coast to win a record fifth consecutive FIBA AfroBasket Women’s title.
The victory not only confirmed their dominance on the continent but also broke Senegal’s four-in-a-row streak from 1974 to 1981, establishing Nigeria as the first side in history to win the championship five times consecutively.
Nigeria, who have now won seven African titles, wasted no time asserting themselves. D’Tigress surged to a 12-0 lead early in the game, establishing a rhythm that Mali struggled to disrupt.
However, it was the Malians who claimed the first quarter 26-21.
Coach Rena Wakama’s side recovered from the five-point deficit to clinch the second quarter 20-15, as both teams went into the half-time interval level at 41-41 apiece.
The third quarter also went the way of D’Tigress, who clinched it by another 20-15 scoreline.
In the fourth quarter, Nigeria began to run down the clock as they tried to cling to their advantage. The last 10 minutes of the quarter finished in favour of D’Tigress 17-8 as Nigeria powered to yet another continental title.
The win saw Nigeria extend their unbeaten streak at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament to 29 games, stretching back the last 10 years.
Also, they have secured an automatic spot at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria’s Amy Okonkwo was named the Most Valuable Player, winning the award for a second consecutive tournament.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu congratulated the D’Tigress for the feat, hailing their performance as a source of national pride.
“You did it, girls! D’Tigress Superb performance to become 5 times consecutive Champions of Africa and seventh overall. Well done, Coach Rena and the team. You have made Nigeria proud. I am expecting you all, along with the trophy,” the president wrote in a post on X.
Key to Nigeria’s success was a balanced offensive performance and clinical execution. They shot 49.18 per cent from the field, outclassing Mali’s 37 per cent. The inside game was particularly telling, with Nigeria converting 59.46 per cent of their two-point attempts compared to Mali’s 44.12 per cent.
In contrast, both teams were less efficient from long range, with Nigeria making 8 of 24 from beyond the arc, while Mali hit just 7 of 26.
Leading the scoring for Nigeria was guard Ezinne Kalu, who poured in 20 points on 53.85 per cent shooting, also registering five assists, four rebounds and a perfect 4/4 from the free throw line.
Amy Okonkwo, who played the full 40 minutes, contributed a crucial double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds, shooting a superb 63.64 per cent from the field and registering an efficiency rating of 26.
Murjanatu Musa dominated the paint, grabbing 12 rebounds alongside nine points and three steals. Veteran point guard Promise Amukamara was the engine of Nigeria’s fluid offence, dishing out a game-high 11 assists and finishing with a +16 plus-minus despite scoring just eight points.
Victoria Macaulay added 10 points off the bench, offering Nigeria much-needed depth. In contrast, Nigeria’s bench contributed 22 points overall, slightly outscored by Mali’s 26, but it was Nigeria’s starting five that made the difference.
Collectively, Nigeria totalled 24 assists and committed 14 turnovers, a figure Mali could not exploit fully despite Nigeria’s occasional lapses.
Defensively, Nigeria were disciplined. They managed eight steals and conceded only 13 personal fouls, keeping Mali’s offensive threats at bay. The rebounding battle was narrowly lost, with Mali edging it 37 to 36, but Nigeria’s 27 defensive rebounds were vital in limiting second-chance points.
Despite grabbing fewer offensive rebounds (nine to Mali’s 13), Nigeria still outscored their opponents in the paint with 40 points to Mali’s 26.
Perhaps the most telling statistic was points off turnovers. Nigeria converted 17 Mali turnovers into 17 points, compared to Mali’s 14 points off Nigeria’s 14 turnovers.
Fast-break points also tilted in Nigeria’s favour, 10 to 5, as did second-chance points, 8 to 5. These margins, although modest, collectively illustrated Nigeria’s efficiency and composure in key moments.
With this victory, Nigeria’s unbeaten streak in the competition now stands at an extraordinary 29 games, dating back to 2015.
They have not lost a game in AfroBasket Women in a full decade. In terms of African titles, they now trail only Senegal, who still lead the all-time count with 11 championships.
For Mali, the loss marked a third unsuccessful AfroBasket final, following defeats to Senegal in 2009 and Nigeria in 2021. Their youthful squad, averaging 24 years of age compared to Nigeria’s 28, showed promise and resilience throughout the tournament but fell short when experience and execution mattered most.
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Players such as Sika Koné and Djeneba N’Diaye played with energy and intent, yet the more seasoned Nigerians used their nous to outmanoeuvre Mali’s spirited challenge.
This final was also a culmination of years of rivalry between the two sides. Since 2011, Nigeria and Mali have each won three games apiece against one another in AfroBasket competition, until this latest meeting tipped the balance in Nigeria’s favour.
The history added intensity to the encounter, but Nigeria’s familiarity with high-pressure finals and their cohesion under pressure proved decisive.
Mali, along with Senegal and South Sudan, which edged Senegal 66-65 in the third-place match, will also join the World Cup qualification pathway.
South Sudan’s bronze was their first-ever AfroBasket medal, further underlining the growing competitiveness of African women’s basketball.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
