ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, for clinching a record-breaking fifth consecutive Women’s Afrobasket title, describing the feat as a “moment of immense national pride.”
On Sunday, August 3, 2025, D’Tigress defeated Mali 78-64 at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to retain their continental crown and seal an automatic qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany.
Reacting to the victory, President Tinubu hailed the team’s grit, excellence, and unity, stating that the players had once again “made Nigeria proud on the global stage.”
“This victory is a testament to the indomitable Nigerian spirit,” Tinubu said in a statement issued by the presidency on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
“D’Tigress have once again lifted the hearts of Nigerians everywhere and etched their names in the annals of sporting greatness. We celebrate their discipline, teamwork, and courage.”
The President also announced that he would be receiving the team in Abuja alongside the championship trophy, in recognition of their unprecedented achievement.
With Sunday’s win, Nigeria becomes the only country to win five consecutive Women’s Afrobasket titles, extending their reign as the undisputed queens of African basketball.
D’Tigress now boast seven Afrobasket championships — their first secured in 2003, followed by successive titles in 2005, and again from 2017 to 2025.
The team remains unbeaten in Afrobasket competitions for a decade, with their last loss dating back to October 2, 2015, against Cameroon.
While Nigeria’s semi-final win over Senegal was a tightly contested battle that required a late rally, the final saw D’Tigress recover from a first-quarter deficit to dominate Mali in the second half.
The game was tied 41-41 at halftime, but the Nigerians pulled away in the third and final quarters with clinical precision and superior depth.
President Tinubu’s praise echoes the sentiments of millions of Nigerians, who have flooded social media with celebratory messages.
The victory is seen not just as a sporting triumph, but as a symbol of resilience, excellence, and unity at a time of national challenge.
“D’Tigress have shown what is possible when Nigerians work together with one heart and one goal,” Tinubu said.
“Their achievement will inspire generations to come.”
