By Abdul Lauya
Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, extended their reign over African basketball on Sunday night, defeating Mali 78-64 to clinch a historic fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title.
The victory at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, marks Nigeria’s seventh overall AfroBasket crown and solidifies the country’s growing dominance in women’s team sports on the continent.
Announcing the win, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga praised the team’s resilience and unity, highlighting their ability to bounce back after losing the first quarter to secure a commanding victory.
He also lauded Head Coach Rena Wakama and the Nigeria Basketball Federation for their leadership and steadfast support.
The D’Tigress’ triumph arrives just weeks after Nigeria’s Super Falcons captured their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, marking a “double win” for Nigeria’s women’s sports.
Both victories underline Nigeria’s unmatched supremacy in African women’s football and basketball, with the two teams now firmly established as continental powerhouses.
Sports analysts view this dual achievement as more than a coincidence, pointing to a pattern of Nigerian women’s teams consistently outperforming their peers across Africa, despite facing persistent challenges in funding, infrastructure, and institutional support.
“D’Tigress and the Super Falcons are setting the gold standard for African women’s sports,” noted sports analyst Tunde Agbaje.
“Their successes are not isolated victories; they are part of a broader narrative of Nigerian women leading the charge in Africa’s sporting arena.”
D’Tigress’ latest feat is historic on multiple fronts. By winning five consecutive AfroBasket titles (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025), they have become the first African women’s basketball team to achieve such a streak, reinforcing Nigeria’s basketball legacy.
The Super Falcons’ recent WAFCON glory further amplifies this narrative of Nigerian female athletes at the forefront of continental sports excellence.
President Tinubu, through Onanuga, assured the D’Tigress of the Federal Government’s continued support as they prepare for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers in March 2026. He also expressed his eagerness to host the victorious team and the trophy in Abuja.
As Nigeria celebrates this momentous “double win,” the exploits of D’Tigress and the Super Falcons serve as a beacon of inspiration, signaling a golden era for Nigerian women’s sports and a clear message of continental supremacy.
