D’Tigress defeat Senegal to book spot in fifth straight Afrobasket final

Nigeria’s D’Tigress have advanced to the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket after defeating Senegal 75–68 in a tense semi-final clash at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Abidjan, on Saturday.

The defending champions are now through to their fifth consecutive Afrobasket final since 2017, continuing an impressive run of dominance in African women’s basketball.

D’Tigress reached the semi-final after a commanding win over Cameroon on Thursday, but the meeting with perennial rivals Senegal proved a sterner challenge.

The Senegalese are coached by Otis Hughley, a former D’Tigress handler who guided Nigeria to three straight Afrobasket titles between 2017 and 2021.

Nigeria started brightly, taking a 22–17 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, momentum shifted in the second period as Senegal closed the gap, with the score at 43–37 heading into halftime.

The third quarter was difficult for D’Tigress, who managed just nine points and fell behind 58–52. But the Nigerian team found their rhythm in the final quarter, capitalizing on turnovers and converting crucial shots to seal a seven-point victory.

D’Tigress will now face the winner of the other semi-final between Mali and South Sudan in Sunday’s championship game.

A win would make Nigeria the first nation to claim five consecutive Women’s Afrobasket titles.