Nigeria's D'Tigress Stamp Authority with Dominant Opening Win at 2025 Women's Afrobasket

Nigeria's D'Tigress, the reigning champions and powerhouse of African women's basketball, have made an emphatic statement in their opening game of the 2025 FIBA Women's Afrobasket. The Nigerian senior women's national team delivered a commanding performance, defeating Rwanda 92-45 in their Group D clash at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan.

The victory marks a strong start to D'Tigress's quest for an unprecedented fifth consecutive Afrobasket title. From tip-off, Nigeria demonstrated their intent, establishing an early lead and maintaining control throughout the game. By halftime, they had built a comfortable 45-25 advantage, a testament to their offensive prowess and defensive tenacity.

The dominance continued into the second half, with the D'Tigress extending their lead to 71-37 by the end of the third quarter, effectively quashing any hopes of a Rwandan comeback. The final quarter saw Nigeria further solidify their lead, closing out the game with a resounding 92-45 victory.

Key performers for D'Tigress included Elizabeth Balogun, who led the scoring with 18 points, while Murjanatu Musa and Amy Okonkwo contributed significantly with 16 and 14 points respectively. Promise Amukamara orchestrated the offense with 6 assists, and Ify Kunaiyi-Akpanah dominated the boards with 9 rebounds.

Under the guidance of Head Coach Rena Wakama, who also led them to gold at the last AfroBasket tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, D'Tigress are a formidable force. They entered this tournament as Africa's top-ranked team, aiming to extend an unbeaten streak against African opponents that dates back to 2015. Their roster boasts a mix of experienced stars and dynamic talent, including the returning Ezinne Kalu, versatile forward Amy Okonkwo, and sharp-shooter Elizabeth Balogun.

Rwanda, who impressively reached the semifinals as hosts in the 2023 edition, faced a tough challenge against the well-oiled Nigerian machine. Despite their efforts, D'Tigress proved too strong, showcasing their depth, experience, and cohesion.

This emphatic victory sets a clear tone for Nigeria's campaign in Abidjan and reaffirms their status as the team to beat in the tournament. The D'Tigress will now look to build on this momentum as they continue their journey to a historic fifth consecutive Afrobasket crown.

The 2025 FIBA Women's Afrobasket runs from July 26 to August 3, with the champion earning a direct qualification spot for the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. The top four teams will also secure berths in the World Cup Qualifying Tournaments.