Kigali, Rwanda | July 29, 2025 — Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, battled their way into the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket after a hard-fought victory over a resilient Mozambique side in Kigali.
In a gripping encounter that tested their composure and championship pedigree, the Nigerian side managed to grind out a 59-52 win to advance from the group stage. The defending champions, chasing a fourth consecutive Afrobasket title, had to rely on strong defensive displays and clutch plays in the final quarter to seal the win.
The game saw D’Tigress struggle to break down Mozambique’s high-pressure defense for most of the match, with both teams exchanging leads through the second and third quarters. However, inspired by standout performances from Ifunanya Okoro and team captain Sarah Ogoke, the Nigerian ladies tightened their grip in the final minutes to pull away and close the game.
Coach Rena Wakama praised her team’s mental toughness after the match, stating, “It wasn’t our prettiest performance, but the girls showed great determination and stuck to the plan. Mozambique gave us a tough fight, and we knew we had to dig deep to come out on top.”
With this result, Nigeria continues its quest for a fifth Afrobasket title overall, reaffirming its dominance in African women’s basketball. The victory also extends D’Tigress’ impressive unbeaten run in the continental competition, where they last tasted defeat in 2015.
D’Tigress will now face either DR Congo or Senegal in the quarter-finals, depending on the outcome of the final round of group games. The team remains focused on its goal of securing a place at the 2026 FIBA World Cup through continued success in Kigali.
