Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have declared their intent to dominate Senegal in Saturday’s semifinal clash at the ongoing 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Abidjan.
Fresh off a commanding 83-47 win over Cameroon, the reigning four-time champions extended their AfroBasket unbeaten streak to 27 games, further solidifying their grip as the queens of African basketball.
The victory came in a highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, where D’Tigress dismantled the same Cameroon side that last beat them in the tournament a full decade ago.
With the semifinal now set, Senegal stands in the way of D’Tigress’ historic march toward a record fifth consecutive title a feat never before achieved in the tournament’s history.
Veteran guard Sarah Ogoke returned to the lineup in commanding fashion, providing leadership, scoring, and relentless energy on both ends of the court. Promise Amukamara brought defensive pressure and fast-break speed, while Amy Okonkwo controlled the glass and kept Cameroon’s defense guessing with her inside out game. Ezinne Kalu was once again the engine, masterfully running the offense.
Head Coach Rena Wakama, who made history in 2023 as the first woman to lead a team to AfroBasket gold, praised the team’s discipline and determination.
“This is about more than just wins. It’s about legacy,” Wakama said. “We respect Senegal, but we’re not here to back down. We’re here to make history.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher. If D’Tigress win, they will not only reach the final but also set themselves up to become the first team ever to win five AfroBasket titles in a row an unprecedented achievement that would seal their dominance in African women’s basketball.
The Nigeria vs Senegal semifinal of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket takes place on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 19:00 GMT (7:00 PM GMT)
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