By: Eugene Upah
Nigeria’s formidable women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, are on the cusp of extending their astonishing winning streak to 27 games as they enter the knockout phase of the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2025. The reigning champions will discover their quarterfinal adversary today, Wednesday, as Cameroon and Angola battle it out in a high-stakes playoff match in Abidjan.
The six-time African queens have demonstrated impeccable form in Group D, securing a flawless record and maximum points with dominant victories over Rwanda and Mozambique. D’Tigress commenced their campaign at the Palais des Sports De Treichville with an emphatic 92-45 win against Rwanda. This was followed by a more hard-fought 60-55 triumph over a resilient Mozambique side, a victory that showcased Nigeria’s ability to perform under pressure and extended their unbeaten run in the competition to 26 games, a streak dating back to the AfroBasket 2015 tournament.
Their last defeat in the competition occurred nearly a decade ago, falling to host Cameroon in the semi-finals of the 2015 edition. They subsequently secured the bronze medal by defeating Angola. Interestingly, these two familiar rivals are now set to compete for the right to face Nigeria once more.
Nigeria is scheduled to take on the winner of the Cameroon versus Angola playoff in Thursday’s quarterfinal. A victory in this match will not only secure a semi-final berth but also guarantee qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, marking the next significant step in Nigeria’s pursuit of global basketball prominence.
Cameroon, a finalist in the 2021 AfroBasket, has experienced a mixed performance in Abidjan. They narrowly defeated debutants South Sudan 70-63 in their opening game but suffered a significant 75-49 loss to Mali in their second group match. Their -19 point differential points to defensive vulnerabilities that D’Tigress could potentially exploit in a potential rematch.
Conversely, Angola, a two-time African champion, has endured a challenging tournament thus far, losing all their group games. They fell 70-54 to Egypt and then 82-74 to Ivory Coast. With a -24 point differential and 152 points conceded in just two games, their campaign has been marked by a noticeable lack of cohesion on both ends of the court.
Beyond continental accolades, a spot in the AfroBasket semi-finals is a direct pathway to the World Cup qualifying series. With their exceptional blend of depth, experience, and unwavering determination, D’Tigress remains the team to beat in Abidjan. Current form suggests it will require an extraordinary effort from any opponent to halt their relentless march towards yet another continental title.
