In front of a roaring crowd at a packed Palais des Sports, Nigeria’s Women’s Basketball Team , D’Tigress once again etched their names in history by winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket; their fifth consecutive title with a thrilling 78–64 win over a gritty Mali side in Sunday’s final.
This win not only confirms Nigeria’s supremacy in African women’s basketball, but also extends their unbeaten run to 29 games, dating back a full decade to their last loss in the 2015 semifinals in Yaoundé, Cameroon (whom they also defeated in the semifinals of this tournament).
D’Tigress’ Amy Okonkwo was named MVP of the tournament, back to back as the girls remains untouchable and still can’t be dethroned as the Queens of Africa, booking their World Cup qualifier spot.
A REMATCH WITH HISTORY ON THE LINE
The final was a similar repeat of the 2021 final. Both Nigeria and Mali came into the game undefeated, and the tension was evident from tip-off.
Mali started with incredible intensity, forcing Nigeria into early mistakes and leading for much of the first quarter, which ended 26-21, making the defending champions trail by 5 points.
Sika Koné, their star power forward, delivered 16 points and 13 rebounds in a tireless performance.
But Nigeria, as they’ve done so many times before, didn’t panic. At halftime, the game was tied at 41–41.
THE TURNING POINT FOR NIGERIA’ D’TIGRESS
Mali attempted to disrupt Nigeria’s rhythm by switching to a zone defense at the start of the third quarter.
However, their strategy quickly unraveled when Amy Okonkwo drilled a three-pointer just seconds in, giving Nigeria their first lead since the opening minutes.
From that moment, Mali chased shadows.
Nigeria never relinquished the lead again, gradually pulling away thanks to a stunning offensive trio of Okonkwo, Ezinne Kalu, and Victoria Macaulay, who combined for 49 points.
Okonkwo, who played every minute of the final, was spectacular:
-19 points,
-7-for-11 from the field, and
-4-for-7 from three-point range.
D’TIGRESS AMY OKONKWO NAMED MVP, JOINS ELITE COMPANY
For her relentless dominance throughout the tournament, Amy Okonkwo was named the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Most Valuable Player, earning a second MVP honor and joining a rare group of two-time winners including Mfon Udoka (2003, 2005) and Aya Traore (2009, 2015).
THE STATS THAT TOLD THE STORY
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Final Score: Nigeria 78 – 64 Mali
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Top Scorers:
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Nigeria: Kalu (20), Okonkwo (19), Macaulay (10)
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Mali: Koné (16 pts, 13 rebs)
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Team Assists: Nigeria 24 – 16 Mali
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Rebounds: Mali 37 – 36 Nigeria
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Three-Point Shooting: Nigeria: 47% (9-for-19) — Mali: 16% (3-for-19)
POST GAME QUOTE FROM THE SILVER MEDALIST
“It’s a mental thing. With a good team like them, when you’re ahead, you have to stay focused because they’re strong mentally and really good.”
”You have to be ready for the whole game.”
— Sika Koné, Mali forward
NIGERIA’S RECORD-BREAKING DOMINANCE
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First team to win 5 consecutive Women’s AfroBasket titles
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29 straight wins at the tournament, dating back to 2015
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Qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifiers in March.
SOUTH SUDAN MAKE HISTORY, SENEGAL MISS PODIUM
In the third-place match, South Sudan stunned Senegal 66–65, securing a bronze medal in their debut AfroBasket appearance.
Nyamer Lual Diew sealed the win by hitting one of two free throws with just six seconds left on the clock.
Senegal, a traditional powerhouse, finished outside the top three for just the second time in 20 years.
ROAD TO THE WORLD CUP
All four semifinalists —
Nigeria,
Mali,
South Sudan, and
Senegal
have earned spots at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, set for March 2026.
FINAL RANKINGS – 2025 WOMEN’S AFROBASKET
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Nigeria
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Mali
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South Sudan
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Senegal
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Cameroon
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Mozambique
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Côte d’Ivoire
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Uganda
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Egypt
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Angola
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Rwanda
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Guinea
2025 FIBA WOMEN’S AFROBASKET ALL-STAR FIVE
With the crown firmly on their heads, Nigeria’s women basketball golden generation isn’t done yet.
