Reigning African champions, Nigeria’s D’Tigress, stormed into the semifinals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket after delivering a commanding 83-47 win over Cameroon on Thursday night in Abidjan.
The six-time champions, who are also defending their title, will now lock horns with Senegal in what promises to be a thrilling semifinal showdown.
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Cameroon opened the quarter-final clash with a quick 4-0 run, seemingly energized from the start. However, Nigeria wasted no time in responding, taking a 7-4 lead shortly after.C
Coach Rena Wakama’s team showcased its superior depth and conditioning, quickly asserting control over a Cameroonian side that appeared drained from their late-night qualification encounter with Angola.
By halftime, the Nigerians had built a commanding 36-18 advantage, largely thanks to a standout first-half performance from Amy Okonkwo. The forward imposed her will early, notching 15 points and grabbing five rebounds in just two quarters.
Victoria Macaulay came off the bench to make a notable impact, combining strong defensive presence in the paint with a smooth scoring touch on offense.
The gap widened significantly in the third quarter, with the scoreboard reading 66-31 in favour of Nigeria heading into the final frame.
Amy Okonkwo ended the game with an impressive stat line of 18 points, six rebounds, and one assist. Ezinne Kalu directed the offense with poise and intensity, handing out five assists.
Nicole Enabosi contributed 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while Victoria Macaulay added 12 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks.
Elizabeth Balogun also made her presence felt with 11 points, five rebounds, a steal, and a block.
With the victory, Nigeria—alongside the other semifinalists Mali, Senegal, and South Sudan—has secured a berth in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments scheduled for March.
These four African powerhouses will join a 24-nation pool vying for a spot in the global competition. The qualifiers will also feature teams from the Americas, including Brazil, Argentina, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Colombia.
