D’Tigress made history by becoming the first team in African basketball to win five consecutive Afrobasket titles, following a hard-fought 78–64 victory over Mali in the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket held on Sunday at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Côte d’Ivoire.
Both teams entered the final with history on their minds. Nigeria aimed to become the first nation to win five consecutive AfroBasket titles across both the men’s and women’s tournaments, while Mali were chasing their second Women’s AfroBasket crown—and their first in 18 years.
Mali started the game with intensity, playing aggressive basketball and outscoring Nigeria 26-21 in the first quarter. However, D’Tigress responded strongly in the second, reeling off 12 unanswered points to seize the lead. Though Nigeria edged the quarter 20-15, Mali clawed their way back into the contest, and both sides went into the halftime break tied at 41-41.
Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu led the charge for D’Tigress with 11 points apiece, while Sika Koné was Mali’s top performer with 11 points, the only Malian player in double figures at halftime.
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Statistically, Nigeria had the edge in two-point field goals, shooting 70.59% compared to Mali’s 55%. Mali, however, were more efficient from beyond the arc, converting 40% of their three-point attempts against Nigeria’s 33.33%. From the free-throw line, Nigeria held a narrow advantage at 71.43% to Mali’s 70%.
The third quarter was a tightly contested battle, with both teams fighting for every point and possession. But D’Tigress edged it once again, outscoring Mali 20-15 to take a 61-56 lead into the final quarter.
D’Tigress dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring their West African rivals, Mali, 17–8 to close out the game 78–64, sealing a commanding 14-point victory.
It was a well-rounded team performance from the Nigerians. Ezinne Kalu led the charge with a game-high 20 points, along with four rebounds and five assists. Amy Okonkwo followed closely with 19 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, while Victoria Macaulay contributed 10 points.
Promise Amukamara also shone, dishing out a game-high 11 assists alongside eight points and two steals. Murjanatu Musa was a force on the boards, grabbing a team-high 12 rebounds to go with nine points and three steals.
Despite Sika Koné’s impressive double-double, posting a team-high 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, Mali couldn’t keep pace. She was supported by Sira Thienou and Djeneba N’Diaye, who added 12 points apiece.
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