Nigeria’s women basketball team, D’Tigress, stormed into the semifinals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship with a commanding 83-47 victory over Cameroon on Thursday night in Abidjan.
The defending champions will now face Senegal in the next round as they continue their quest for a seventh continental title.
Despite Cameroon’s early 4-0 lead, the Nigerian side quickly took control of the quarterfinal clash, ending the first half with a dominant 36-18 advantage. Forward Amy Okonkwo led the charge with 18 points and 6 rebounds, while Victoria Macaulay provided crucial support off the bench with 12 points and 4 rebounds.
Point guard Ezinne Kalu masterfully directed play with five assists as Nigeria extended their lead to 66-31 by the third quarter, leaving no chance for a Cameroonian comeback.
The victory secures Nigeria’s place in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers alongside semifinalists Mali, Senegal and South Sudan. These four teams will join 20 others from across the globe competing for World Cup spots next March.
D’Tigress will aim to maintain their championship pedigree when they take on Senegal in what promises to be a thrilling semifinal encounter. The Nigerian team’s comprehensive performance against Cameroon sends a strong warning to their remaining opponents in the tournament.
