“YOU HAVE MADE NIGERIA PROUD,” TINUBU HAILS D’TIGRESS AFTER FIFTH AFROBASKET TITLE

By: Gyang Dakwo

While Nigerians are still celebrating the Super Falcons’ tenth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, the country has scored another big win in women’s sports. This time, it is the national basketball team, D’Tigress, who have made the nation proud by winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship.

Cheers erupted across the country as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu joined millions in saluting the champions. He praised the team’s display of skill, resilience, determination, and teamwork under the leadership of Coach Rena Wakama. In a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the players had written their names in history by lifting the trophy again.

He said, “By winning the AfroBasket trophy for a record fifth consecutive time, you have written your names in history and shown the world what to expect out of Africa.”

“Your superb performance throughout the competition has made Nigeria proud. Like the Super Falcons, you have inspired our young ladies. You embodied the indomitable Nigerian spirit, the power of unity, and the rewards of hard work.”

It was a proud moment for the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who also celebrated the team in a personally signed statement. She said, “To God be the glory for yet another victory for Nigeria as you bring home the second trophy won by the nation in two weeks.” She added that the D’Tigress had written another golden chapter in the country’s sporting history. She praised the players for their team spirit and hard work and thanked them for making Nigerian women proud on the global stage.

Also in the basketball community, celebrations ran high. The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Musa Kida, was also full of joy. He dedicated the victory to President Tinubu and said the win showed that the Renewed Hope agenda was already bringing life back to Nigerian sports.

Nigeria beat Mali 78 to 64 on the final day of the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket to become the first team ever to win the tournament five times in a row. The win was not an easy one, and it turned out to be one of Nigeria’s toughest games in the competition.

This victory stretched Nigeria’s unbeaten run to 29 games, and that streak goes all the way back to the third-place match at the 2015 tournament in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Just like in most of their earlier games, Nigeria started slowly. But Mali came out strong, and that forced Coach Rena Wakama’s team to step up their game. By halftime, both teams were tied at 41 points each.

In the second half, Amy Okonkwo came in with a clear mission. She was there to shoot and to play tough. She made 7 of her 11 shots from the field, including 4 of 7 from three-point range, and she ended the game with 19 points. Ezinne Kalu was the top scorer for Nigeria as she finished with 20 points.

Mali’s star player Sika Koné tried her best. She had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and she gave everything she had to help her team win their first AfroBasket title since 2007. But her efforts were not enough because Nigeria was simply too strong.

This victory also stretched D’Tigress’ unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games. The streak began all the way back in 2015 after a third-place finish in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

With this win, D’Tigress have made history once more, and they have shown that Nigerian women in sports are a force the world must respect.