D’Tigress Roar Past Senegal, Book Afrobasket Final Spot

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have advanced to the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship after a dramatic 75–68 win over arch-rivals Senegal in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Saturday.

The semi-final clash, widely tagged the “final before the final,” brought together two of Africa’s basketball powerhouses in a pulsating encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats.

D’Tigress came into the match as defending champions, having won the last three editions, while Senegal, the most decorated team in the tournament’s history, were looking to reclaim their lost dominance.

Senegal started the game strongly, using their physicality and fast breaks to unsettle the Nigerian side. By the end of the third quarter, the Senegalese had built an 8-point lead, and it seemed they had the momentum going into the final stretch.

However, D’Tigress showed immense resilience and tactical discipline in the fourth quarter. Coach Rena Wakama’s decision to press higher and rotate her bench paid off, as Nigeria overturned the deficit with a flurry of steals, three-pointers, and fast-break points.

The turning point came midway through the fourth quarter when Nigeria went on a 10-0 scoring run to take the lead.

Their defense tightened significantly, and Senegal struggled to find their rhythm in the closing minutes. The experience of players like Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, and Sarah Ogoke proved crucial in maintaining composure under pressure.

The seven-point win not only sends D’Tigress into the final but also extends their unbeaten run in the Afrobasket tournament, reinforcing their status as Africa’s dominant force in women’s basketball.

Nigeria will now face the winner of the second semi-final between Mali and Mozambique on Sunday as they aim for a record-equalling fourth consecutive Afrobasket crown.