Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, launched their 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship defence in spectacular fashion, thrashing Rwanda 92-45 in their opening Group B encounter at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan on Saturday.
The six-time African champions showcased their continental dominance from tip-off, winning all four quarters (17-8, 28-17, 26-12, 21-8) against the overwhelmed Rwandans. This victory extends Nigeria’s unbeaten run at the tournament since the 2015 semifinals.
Elizabeth Balogun led the charge with a game-high 18 points and 4 rebounds, while veteran Victoria Macaulay added 13 points. Murjanatu Musa (12 points, 5 rebounds), Ifunaya Okoro (11 points) and Amy Okonkwo (10 points, 4 rebounds) all contributed double-digit scores in the comprehensive victory.
The statistics told the story of Nigeria’s superiority – 70 field goal attempts with 35 conversions compared to Rwanda’s 52 attempts and meagre 15 successful shots. Coach Rena Wakama’s side dominated the boards with 44 rebounds to Rwanda’s 28 while registering 25 assists and forcing 22 turnovers from their opponents.
Newcomer Vera Ojenuwa marked her national team debut with 4 points as every member of the D’Tigress squad got on the scoresheet. Rwanda’s Destiney Philoxy (11 points) and Keisha Hampton (10 points) offered rare resistance in the one-sided contest.
The defending champions will look to secure their quarterfinal spot when they face Mozambique in their final group game on Monday. With this emphatic start, D’Tigress have sent a strong warning to other title contenders at the tournament being hosted in Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria’s basketball federation officials expressed delight with the performance, describing it as “the perfect start to our title defence campaign.” The team’s dominance continues Africa’s basketball hierarchy, having now won three consecutive AfroBasket titles since 2017.
