Defending champions Nigeria’s D’Tigress stormed into the semi-finals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket with a dominant 83–47 win over Cameroon on Thursday night in Abidjan.
The six-time champions will now face rivals Senegal in the semi-final stage of the competition.
Cameroon opened brightly with a 4–0 run, but Nigeria quickly turned the tide, taking a 7–4 lead and never looking back. Coach Rena Wakama’s squad, fresher and deeper, overwhelmed a Cameroonian side still recovering from a gruelling late-night win over Angola.
By halftime, D’Tigress were firmly in control, leading 36–18, with Amy Okonkwo setting the pace. She finished the game with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist. Off the bench, Victoria Macaulay added energy and efficiency, contributing 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks.
Point guard Ezinne Kalu led the offence with poise, recording five assists. Nicole Enabosi added 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Elizabeth Balogun chipped in 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block.
With the victory, Nigeria joins Mali, Senegal, and South Sudan in securing a place in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments, scheduled for March. They will be among 24 national teams, including Brazil, Argentina, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Colombia, vying for a spot in the global competition.