Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have once again written their names in gold after defeating Mali to win the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Sunday.
The victory marks their fifth consecutive championship and seventh overall, making them the first side to achieve such a feat in the competition’s history. The team also extended their unbeaten run in the tournament to 10 years.
Led by coach Rena Wakama, D’Tigress overcame a slow start to dominate the second half of the final, securing a 14-point win over Mali. The triumph comes just days after a tense semi-final victory over Senegal.
Beyond the trophy, attention has now shifted to President Bola Tinubu, with questions on whether the team will get the same rewards given to the Super Falcons following their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations win in Morocco.
The Falcons received $100,000 each, ₦50,000 for members of the technical crew, the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger, and three-bedroom apartments under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
Before Sunday’s final, D’Tigress appeared to tease the possibility of such a gesture, posting a dancing meme on their official X handle with the caption: “One more to go @afrobasketwomen Practicing $100k dance for @officialABAT.”
President Tinubu has since congratulated the team on social media, saying, “You did it, girls! @DtigressNG. Superb performance to become 5x 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. #MissionV – Done and Dusted.”
With the historic victory secured, Nigerians are now waiting to see if the basketball champions will be rewarded like their football counterparts.
