Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, the D’Tigress, have reaffirmed their dominance on the African basketball scene with a resounding 83-47 victory over Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
With this emphatic win, the six-time AfroBasket champions and current title holders move into the semi-final round, where they will face long-time rivals Senegal in what promises to be a fierce encounter.
Cameroon Start Fast, but Nigeria Responds with Authority
Cameroon opened the match with early momentum, taking a quick 4-0 lead. However, it didn’t take long for Nigeria to settle in and take control, surging to a 7-4 lead within minutes. From that point, it was all D’Tigress.
Coach Rena Wakama’s squad displayed their trademark depth and intensity, capitalizing on a visibly fatigued Cameroonian side that had played a high-energy, late-night qualifier against Angola the night before.
By halftime, Nigeria had built a commanding 36-18 lead, led by the electrifying Amy Okonkwo, who was simply unstoppable in the opening half—tallying 15 points and 5 rebounds.
D’Tigress Dominate on Both Ends of the Court
Coming off the bench, Victoria Macaulay added spark and strength to Nigeria’s frontcourt. Her presence in the paint and efficient shooting helped D’Tigress extend their dominance. By the third quarter’s end, the scoreboard read 66-31, effectively ending Cameroon’s hopes of a comeback.
Final stats for Nigeria’s standout performers:
- Amy Okonkwo: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist
- Ezinne Kalu: 5 assists, masterfully controlled the game tempo
- Nicole Enabosi: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
- Victoria Macaulay: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks
- Elizabeth Balogun: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
Road to the World Stage: Nigeria Secure 2026 World Cup Qualifier Spot
This dominant quarterfinal win also secured Nigeria’s place in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, scheduled for March. The D’Tigress join fellow African semifinalists Mali, Senegal, and South Sudan in advancing to the global stage.
They will compete among 24 national teams in four qualifiers, alongside top contenders from across the globe. From the Americas, Brazil, Argentina, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Colombia have already booked their spots.
What’s Next for D’Tigress?
Up next is a high-stakes semi-final clash with Senegal, one of Nigeria’s fiercest basketball rivals. Both teams have a rich history in African women’s basketball, and this match promises fireworks.
The D’Tigress are now just two games away from claiming a historic seventh FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title and continuing their reign as Africa’s top basketball powerhouse.
