Nigeria defeats Mali to claim fifth straight FIBA women’s AfroBasket title
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, the D’Tigress, claimed their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship on Sunday night after a 78–64 victory over Mali in the final at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan. The win extends Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games, a streak that began...
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, the D’Tigress, claimed their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship on Sunday night after a 78–64 victory over Mali in the final at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan.
The win extends Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games, a streak that began after their semifinal loss to Cameroon in 2015.
Strong performances lead the way
The D’Tigress were led by Ezinne Kalu with 20 points and Amy Okonkwo, who added 19 points and was later named Tournament MVP. The duo played a key role in maintaining Nigeria’s dominance throughout the match.
The first half ended level at 41–41, with Mali showing strong intent and controlling portions of the game. However, Nigeria shifted momentum in the third quarter after Okonkwo drained a crucial three-pointer to give her team the lead — one they held onto until the final buzzer.
Mali's effort falls short
Mali, aiming for their first title since 2007, responded in the fourth quarter with Sika Koné leading a full-court press to cut Nigeria’s lead to just four points. Despite the effort, Nigeria’s experience and composure proved decisive. Kalu, Okonkwo, Promise Amukamara, Victoria Macaulay, and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah all contributed key plays down the stretch to secure the victory.
World Cup qualification secured
By winning the tournament, Nigeria has earned automatic qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany.
Meanwhile, Mali, along with semifinalists South Sudan and Senegal, secured places in the World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, keeping their hopes alive for a place on the global stage.
Individual honors
Amy Okonkwo was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. She was also selected for the All-Star Five, which included:
Cierra Dillard (Senegal)
Delicia Washington (South Sudan)
Jane Asinde (Uganda, Captain)
Sika Koné (Mali)
Final standings
Nigeria 🏆
Mali
South Sudan
Senegal
Cameroon
Mozambique
Côte d’Ivoire
Uganda
Egypt
Angola
Rwanda
Guinea
What’s next
Nigeria’s consistent performance over the past decade continues to place them at the top of African women’s basketball. Mali’s strong showing, despite the loss, highlights their growth and sets the tone for future regional competition.
The focus now shifts to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, where Nigeria will represent Africa on the global stage.
