President Bola Tinubu has extended enthusiastic congratulations to Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, for their sensational 75–68 semifinal win over Senegal at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The victory, achieved at Palais des Sports de Treichville, ensures Nigeria’s fifth consecutive appearance in the continental final and qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournament in March
In a statement released on Sunday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the president hailed the match as “the final before the final,” lauding the reigning African champions for their resilience and dominance against a formidable rival.
Tinubu highlighted that this was D’Tigress’s seventh straight win over Senegal, further cementing their supremacy in the long-standing rivalry.
The president praised the team’s unwavering discipline, focus, and unity, qualities he noted have brought honour to Nigeria and earned global respect for both players and coaching.
He singled out the historic leadership of Coach Rena Wakama, the first Nigerian woman to lead D’Tigress,crediting her strategic acumen and motivational presence for propelling the team to new heights in a demanding tournament.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his full support for D’Tigress as they chase a fifth consecutive AfroBasket title and their seventh overall crown, emphasising the country’s confidence in their ability to make history in Sunday’s final, where they are set to face Mali.
