Nigeria’s D’Tigress secured their fourth consecutive FIBA Africa Women’s Championship title on July 20, 2025, defeating Mali 72-65 in a thrilling final in Kigali, Rwanda. Team captain Adaora Elonu, named tournament MVP, scored 22 points, while Coach Rena Wakama’s defensive strategies stifled Mali’s offense. The victory, watched by 10,000 fans and streamed to millions on ESPN Africa, underscores Nigeria’s dominance in women’s basketball, with an unbeaten streak since 2017.
The team’s success has spurred calls for increased funding, with Nigeria’s sports budget allocating only 5% to women’s sports, per a 2025 Ministry of Sports report. A victory parade in Lagos on July 25 drew thousands, with brands like Adidas offering endorsement deals. D’Tigress are now preparing for the 2026 Olympic qualifiers, aiming for a medal after reaching the Tokyo 2020 quarter-finals. Grassroots programs, like the Lagos Women’s Basketball League, have grown 30%, inspired by D’Tigress’ success.
Challenges include limited training facilities, with only two FIBA-standard courts in Nigeria. The government has pledged ₦2 billion to upgrade arenas by 2026. Social media campaigns like #DTigress2025 have amplified the team’s global reach, with 70% of Nigerian X users engaging with the content. The win highlights the need for gender equity in sports funding, with analysts predicting D’Tigress could rank among the world’s top 10 teams by 2028.
Source: Punch Sports
Link: https://punchng.com/
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