By Ngunyi Sonita Nwohtazie
Nigeria’s women’s basketball team has once again made history, claiming their fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket title after defeating Mali 78–64 in a thrilling final held in Abidjan on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
This latest triumph marks Nigeria’s seventh overall AfroBasket crown and solidifies their position as the first and only nation to win the continental championship five times in a row. With this win, the Nigerian side has now tallied 29 victories in AfroBasket history. Their last defeat in the tournament dates back to 2015, when they narrowly lost 71–70 to Cameroon’s Lionesses.
For Mali, the defeat meant another missed opportunity to add a second title to their record, having last lifted the trophy in 2007. The team also finished as runners-up back in 2001, when they were similarly beaten by Nigeria in Cameroon.
The third-place playoff saw an electrifying encounter between South Sudan and Senegal. In a closely contested match, debutants South Sudan edged out Senegal 66–65 to secure the bronze medal. Their performance made history, as they became the first debuting nation in the tournament to finish on the podium.
The tournament’s honours were equally noteworthy. Nigeria’s Amy Okonkwo was crowned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, while Senegal’s Cierra Dillard, South Sudan’s Delicia Washington, Uganda’s Jane Asinde, and Mali’s Sika Koné were named to the All-Star Five.
With their victory, Nigeria automatically qualifies for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany. They will be joined by Mali, Senegal, and South Sudan in the African qualifiers, scheduled for March 2026.
