Basketball
D’Tigress Crush Cameroon to Reach AfroBasket Semifinals, Extend Unbeaten Run to 27
Nigeria’s D’Tigress underlined their status as queens of African basketball once again on Thursday night with a resounding 83–47 victory over Cameroon to secure a place in the semifinals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Abidjan.
The quarterfinal clash at the Palais des Sports de Treichville was never in doubt, as the reigning champions asserted their dominance from the outset. After racing to a 41–29 lead at halftime, D’Tigress completely overpowered the Lionesses in the second half, outscoring them 42–18 to seal a commanding 36-point win.
Amy Okonkwo led the charge with an inspired performance, contributing 18 points, six rebounds, and one assist. She was backed by Nicole Enabosi and Victoria Macaulay, who both added 12 points apiece, while Elizabeth Balogun chipped in 11.
Team captain Sarah Ogoke, returning after missing the group stage, made an immediate impact by knocking down a smooth three-pointer early in the contest to energize the squad and fans alike.
In a display of remarkable depth and unity, all 12 players on the Nigerian roster saw court time—and every one of them got on the scoresheet.
Speaking after the game, head coach Rena Wakama hailed her players’ commitment and execution: “This team continues to grow in confidence and cohesion. I’m proud of their discipline, especially defensively, and the way everyone contributed to this victory.”
The triumph carries extra emotional weight for D’Tigress, whose last loss at the AfroBasket came a decade ago—ironically against Cameroon in the 2015 semifinals. Since then, Nigeria has strung together 27 consecutive wins in the competition, underscoring their dominance in African women’s basketball.
Earlier in the tournament, the defending champions cruised through Group D, opening with a 92–45 blowout win over Rwanda before overcoming a resilient Mozambican side 60–55 in a tougher test, which secured them the top spot in the group and earned them direct qualification to the last eight.
With the semifinals now in sight, D’Tigress will be looking to continue their unbeaten streak and move one step closer to claiming a record-extending fifth consecutive AfroBasket title.
Their next opponents will be determined after the conclusion of the remaining quarterfinal fixtures.
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Nigeria’s D’Tigress will lock horns with arch-rivals Senegal in a much-anticipated semifinal clash at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, setting the stage for one of African basketball’s most storied rivalries.
The encounter, billed for Saturday at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, pits together two of the continent’s most successful women’s teams in a battle for a place in the final—and much more.
Having brushed aside Cameroon 83–47 in the quarterfinals, D’Tigress extended their unbeaten AfroBasket run to 27 matches, further solidifying their dominance on the continent. But Senegal, 11-time champions and perennial contenders, present a formidable hurdle.
A victory on Saturday would propel Nigeria into their fifth consecutive AfroBasket final and move them a step closer to claiming an unprecedented fifth straight title—an achievement no other team has accomplished in the history of the tournament.
Beyond the pursuit of silverware, the stakes are even higher. By reaching the last four, Nigeria has already secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament. But a win over Senegal would further affirm their global ambitions and continental supremacy.
The semifinal promises fireworks, with both teams boasting deep rosters and a fierce competitive edge.
Nigeria defeated Senegal in the finals of the last two editions (2019 and 2021), adding more fuel to the already intense rivalry.
As the D’Tigress continue their quest for a historic fifth title, all eyes will be on Abidjan for what could be the defining game of the tournament.
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The fifth edition of the Dr & Dr (Mrs.) D.K. Olukoya Women’s Basketball Competition is set to take place in Lagos on July 14 and 15, 2025, with eight of Nigeria’s top women’s basketball teams battling for honours in the two-day tournament.
The competition, held annually in celebration of the joint birthday of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) General Overseer, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, and his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Folashade Olukoya, continues to grow in prestige and importance on the Nigerian basketball calendar.
Speaking ahead of the event, Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Godwin Enakhena, acknowledged the logistical challenges encountered in planning this year’s edition due to scheduling conflicts at the National Stadium’s indoor sports hall in Lagos—the tournament’s usual venue.
“Putting together the 2025 edition has been a bit challenging because of the congested calendar at the stadium, but we are determined not to disappoint the teams that have been looking forward to it,” Enakhena said. “We’ve secured two days, and we’ll make the most of the opportunity.”
Enakhena, who is also the Director of Sports at MFM, said the timing of the tournament is ideal for teams preparing for the new Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Women’s Premier League season.
“Several teams participating in the league reached out and pleaded for the competition to hold, as it offers a valuable platform to fine-tune preparations ahead of the first phase of the NBBF Women’s League, which begins at the end of July,” he added.
The Dr & Dr (Mrs.) D.K. Olukoya Women’s Basketball Tournament has become a key fixture in supporting and promoting women’s basketball in Nigeria, while also serving as a birthday tribute to two of MFM’s most influential figures.
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Musa Kida, the president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has been appointed as a non-executive chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the country’s apex oil company. His appointment is part of the sweeping overhaul that the Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu made in the first working day after the Sallah break.
The sacking of the board of the NNPC sees the appointment of Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), replacing Mele Kolo Kyari. Prior to his current appointment, Kida was the Deputy Managing Director, Deep Water Services, of Total Nigeria.
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