Nevertheless, Nigeria’s D’Tigress determination shone through as they mounted an impressive comeback, dominating the final quarter with a remarkable 23–10 run to clinch a 75–68 victory.
Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, secured a hard-fought victory over a determined Senegalese side on Saturday, earning a coveted spot in the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship. The tightly contested semi-final match took place at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where Nigeria emerged victorious with a 75–68 win.
How did D’Tigress Start out
The game lived up to expectations as a battle between two of Africa’s top basketball powerhouses. D’Tigress started the match with high energy and edged the first quarter 22–17, showing poise and control in the early exchanges. The momentum continued in the second quarter, where the Nigerian side narrowly maintained their lead, winning the quarter 21–20, despite Senegal ramping up the pressure with a physical and aggressive approach.
Rlated Topics
- First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Commends D’Tigress Over Victory to Afrobasket Final
- President Tinubu Congratulates D’Tigress on Fifth Consecutive Afrobasket Final.
However, the third quarter proved to be a turning point, as Nigeria lost momentum and allowed Senegal to capitalize. The Senegalese team dominated that period with an impressive 21–9 run, overturning Nigeria’s lead and gaining the upper hand going into the final stretch of the match.
With just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, Senegal held a 68–62 lead, threatening to eliminate the reigning champions. But D’Tigress demonstrated resilience and championship grit, launching a spirited comeback. Fueled by tactical adjustments, defensive tenacity, and clutch scoring, Nigeria surged ahead with a commanding 23–10 run in the final minutes, ultimately sealing a 75–68 victory.
D’Tigress Afrobasket Record
This victory not only sends Nigeria into the Afrobasket 2025 final, where they will seek to defend their title and claim a fifth consecutive championship, but also highlights the team’s continued dominance on the continent.
Earlier in the tournament, D’Tigress displayed their formidable strength with a commanding 83–47 win over Cameroon in the quarterfinals, solidifying their reputation as title favorites.
In addition to progressing to the final, Nigeria’s semi-final qualification has earned them a place in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments, scheduled to take place in March. They join fellow African nations Mali, Senegal, and South Sudan in the next phase of global competition.
These four African representatives will compete in the World Cup Qualifiers alongside other elite teams from around the world, including Brazil, Argentina, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Colombia, who will represent the Americas.
As D’Tigress prepare for the final, their eyes are set on lifting yet another Afrobasket title and continuing their legacy as one of Africa’s most successful women’s basketball teams.
