The race for the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket crown hits its most intense phase this Saturday as the tournament’s final four—Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and debutants South Sudan—clash in the semifinals with championship dreams, national pride, and regional bragging rights on the line.

With qualification already secured for next year’s 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, the focus now shifts to continental supremacy as two heavyweight duels take centre stage in Abidjan.

Senegal vs. Nigeria – 19:00 GMT

“The Final Before the Final”

The latest instalment of one of Africa’s fiercest rivalries headlines the semifinals, as defending champions Nigeria’s D’Tigresses face 11-time winners Senegal in what promises to be another classic encounter.

Having won nine of their 14 AfroBasket meetings, Nigeria enter the clash with a historical and psychological edge.

Senegal’s last victory over Nigeria came back in 2011, when they won both their Group Phase and semifinal matchups. Since then, it’s been a decade of D’Tigresses dominance.

Their most recent duel came at the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgium, where Nigeria triumphed 72–65.

A year earlier, Nigeria secured their fourth straight AfroBasket title with an 84–74 win over the Senegalese in the 2023 final.

Now coached by Rena Wakama, the Nigerians are chasing an unprecedented fifth consecutive title—a feat no African team has achieved.

Meanwhile, Senegal are gunning for a record-extending 12th championship, and their first since 2015.

Statistically, Nigeria holds a slight edge. They average 78.3 points per game compared to Senegal’s 77, and have been more efficient from the field (44.7% FG to Senegal’s 39%).

From beyond the arc, D’Tigresses also led, shooting 26% versus Senegal’s 20.7%.

However, Senegal has the upper hand in rebounding (48.3 rpg to Nigeria’s 44.3), and both sides are nearly matched in assists, making this a tightly poised battle.

Senegal, who were stretched by Côte d’Ivoire in the quarterfinals, must see stronger performances from their starting five if they hope to end Nigeria’s reign.

Mali vs. South Sudan – 22:00 GMT

Can the Bright Starlets Shine Again?

Mali faces surprise package South Sudan in the second semifinal—an encounter that promises fireworks following their narrow 55–53 Group B thriller earlier in the tournament.

Mali, the 2021 runners-up, have played like title contenders ever since that close opening win over South Sudan. They cruised past Cameroon in the quarterfinals (75–49) and dispatched Mozambique (86–68) to underline their title credentials.

Led by WNBA standout Sika Koné, Mali brings both experience and balance to the table, averaging 72 points per game, with a tournament-best 21.7 assists per outing. They also boast a solid shooting efficiency (41.3%) and average 46.7 rebounds per game.

But South Sudan are the story of the tournament.

Under coach Alberto Antuna, the debutants have defied expectations, coming from two opening losses to upset Egypt (75–65) and edge Uganda (69–68) in a gripping quarterfinal. Anchored by the energetic Maria Teresa Gakdeng (team-high efficiency rating of 18.8), the Bright Starlets top the rebounding charts with 51 boards per game—evidence of their grit and hustle.

Though statistically behind Mali in most categories, South Sudan’s athleticism, momentum, and belief make them dangerous opponents capable of springing another surprise.

Road to the Final

The winners of Saturday’s semifinals will battle for the AfroBasket title in the final on Sunday, August 4. The losers will meet in the third-place playoff earlier that day.

With powerhouse clashes and a Cinderella story still unfolding, the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket is set for a dramatic climax, celebrating the best of African women’s basketball.

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Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments after reaching the semifinals of the ongoing 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket.

The Nigerian ladies, alongside fellow semi-finalists Mali, Senegal, and South Sudan, are among the four African teams that will represent the continent in the global qualifying series scheduled for March 2026.

The qualifiers will feature 24 national teams across four tournaments, with each tournament hosting six teams.

From these, 16 teams will eventually secure places at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, which will be hosted in Germany.

In addition to the African quartet, Brazil, Argentina, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Colombia will fly the flag for the Americas in the qualifiers.

 Asia and Oceania will be represented by Japan, China, Korea, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia.

Europe’s representation includes World Cup hosts Germany, along with the Czech Republic, Hungary, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, and Turkey.

D’Tigress, who have won the last four editions of the AfroBasket championship, are aiming to consolidate their status as Africa’s dominant force and make a strong push for a spot at the World Cup.

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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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