Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, received a warm welcome at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday following their historic victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The African champions arrived aboard two chartered flights with both players and officials on board.
They were received by representatives of the National Sports Commission, the Association of Nigerian Women in Sports, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy and a group of jubilant supporters.
D’Tigress defeated Mali 78–64 on Sunday night to claim their fifth consecutive AfroBasket title and seventh overall, extending their unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games since 2015.
The triumphant team brought home not just the championship trophy but also a milestone in African women’s basketball history.
President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu led the tributes to the team for their performance.
“You did it, girls!” Tinubu wrote 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.”
The First Lady described their win as a “golden chapter in our nation’s sporting history,” applauding the team’s dedication and commitment.
Amy Okonkwo, who captained the side, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
She delivered an all-round performance in the final with 19 points, nine rebounds and three assists, earning a place on the Tournament’s Best V team.
Coach Rena Wakama also made history as the first female coach to lead Nigeria to back-to-back AfroBasket titles. Under her leadership, the team has now added the 2025 title to their wins in 2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Other standout players included Ezinne Kalu, who scored 20 points in the final and Victoria Macaulay and Murjanatu Musa, who combined for 22 points and 10 rebounds.
With the win, D’Tigress have secured a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments.
