Captain of Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, Amy Okonkwo, has been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket after leading the team to a win over Mali in the final held on Sunday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria defeated Mali 78–64 at the Palais des Sports de Treichville to secure their fifth consecutive AfroBasket title and seventh overall.
The result extended their unbeaten run in the tournament to 29 games since 2015.
Okonkwo played the entire game and finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. She also earned a spot on the Tournament’s Best V team.
The forward featured in all games during the tournament and was one of the team’s top contributors in scoring and defence.
Her MVP award places her among a short list of players with multiple AfroBasket MVP honours, including Mfon Udoka of Nigeria (2003, 2005), Aya Traoré of Senegal (2009, 2015) and Nacissela Maurício of Angola (2011, 2013).
Nigeria, under the leadership of head coach Rena Wakama, added the 2025 title to their wins in 2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Wakama, who became the first woman to coach D’Tigress to a title in 2023, has now led the team to two consecutive championships.
The final saw Nigeria draw level with Mali at halftime 41–41 after trailing in the first quarter.
They outscored Mali 20–15 in the third quarter and closed the game with a 17–8 run.
Other key players in the match included Ezinne Kalu with 20 points, while Victoria Macaulay and Murjanatu Musa contributed a combined 22 points and 10 rebounds.
President Bola Tinubu congratulated the team shortly after the win, describing their performance as a source of pride for the country.
“You did it, girls!” Tinubu wrote in a post on X.
“Superb performance to become 5x consecutive Champions of Africa and seventh overall. Well done, Coach Rena and the team. You have made Nigeria proud. I am expecting you all, along with the trophy. #MissionV – Done & Dusted.”
With this title, D’Tigress have also secured a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments.
