Basketball
AfroBasket Semifinal Showdowns: Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and South Sudan Battle for Championship Glory

The race for the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket crown hits its most intense phase this Saturday as the tournament’s final four—Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and debutants South Sudan—clash in the semifinals with championship dreams, national pride, and regional bragging rights on the line.
With qualification already secured for next year’s 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, the focus now shifts to continental supremacy as two heavyweight duels take centre stage in Abidjan.
Senegal vs. Nigeria – 19:00 GMT
“The Final Before the Final”
The latest instalment of one of Africa’s fiercest rivalries headlines the semifinals, as defending champions Nigeria’s D’Tigresses face 11-time winners Senegal in what promises to be another classic encounter.
Having won nine of their 14 AfroBasket meetings, Nigeria enter the clash with a historical and psychological edge.
Senegal’s last victory over Nigeria came back in 2011, when they won both their Group Phase and semifinal matchups. Since then, it’s been a decade of D’Tigresses dominance.
Their most recent duel came at the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgium, where Nigeria triumphed 72–65.
A year earlier, Nigeria secured their fourth straight AfroBasket title with an 84–74 win over the Senegalese in the 2023 final.
Now coached by Rena Wakama, the Nigerians are chasing an unprecedented fifth consecutive title—a feat no African team has achieved.
Meanwhile, Senegal are gunning for a record-extending 12th championship, and their first since 2015.
Statistically, Nigeria holds a slight edge. They average 78.3 points per game compared to Senegal’s 77, and have been more efficient from the field (44.7% FG to Senegal’s 39%).
From beyond the arc, D’Tigresses also led, shooting 26% versus Senegal’s 20.7%.
However, Senegal has the upper hand in rebounding (48.3 rpg to Nigeria’s 44.3), and both sides are nearly matched in assists, making this a tightly poised battle.
Senegal, who were stretched by Côte d’Ivoire in the quarterfinals, must see stronger performances from their starting five if they hope to end Nigeria’s reign.
Mali vs. South Sudan – 22:00 GMT
Can the Bright Starlets Shine Again?
Mali faces surprise package South Sudan in the second semifinal—an encounter that promises fireworks following their narrow 55–53 Group B thriller earlier in the tournament.
Mali, the 2021 runners-up, have played like title contenders ever since that close opening win over South Sudan. They cruised past Cameroon in the quarterfinals (75–49) and dispatched Mozambique (86–68) to underline their title credentials.
Led by WNBA standout Sika Koné, Mali brings both experience and balance to the table, averaging 72 points per game, with a tournament-best 21.7 assists per outing. They also boast a solid shooting efficiency (41.3%) and average 46.7 rebounds per game.
But South Sudan are the story of the tournament.
Under coach Alberto Antuna, the debutants have defied expectations, coming from two opening losses to upset Egypt (75–65) and edge Uganda (69–68) in a gripping quarterfinal. Anchored by the energetic Maria Teresa Gakdeng (team-high efficiency rating of 18.8), the Bright Starlets top the rebounding charts with 51 boards per game—evidence of their grit and hustle.
Though statistically behind Mali in most categories, South Sudan’s athleticism, momentum, and belief make them dangerous opponents capable of springing another surprise.
Road to the Final
The winners of Saturday’s semifinals will battle for the AfroBasket title in the final on Sunday, August 4. The losers will meet in the third-place playoff earlier that day.
With powerhouse clashes and a Cinderella story still unfolding, the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket is set for a dramatic climax, celebrating the best of African women’s basketball.
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Basketball
Nigeria Qualifies for 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifiers

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments after reaching the semifinals of the ongoing 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket.
The Nigerian ladies, alongside fellow semi-finalists Mali, Senegal, and South Sudan, are among the four African teams that will represent the continent in the global qualifying series scheduled for March 2026.
The qualifiers will feature 24 national teams across four tournaments, with each tournament hosting six teams.
From these, 16 teams will eventually secure places at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, which will be hosted in Germany.
In addition to the African quartet, Brazil, Argentina, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Colombia will fly the flag for the Americas in the qualifiers.
Asia and Oceania will be represented by Japan, China, Korea, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia.
Europe’s representation includes World Cup hosts Germany, along with the Czech Republic, Hungary, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, and Turkey.
D’Tigress, who have won the last four editions of the AfroBasket championship, are aiming to consolidate their status as Africa’s dominant force and make a strong push for a spot at the World Cup.
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Basketball
AfroBasket Semifinals: Nigeria Set for Heavyweight Clash Against Senegal

Nigeria’s D’Tigress will lock horns with arch-rivals Senegal in a much-anticipated semifinal clash at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, setting the stage for one of African basketball’s most storied rivalries.
The encounter, billed for Saturday at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, pits together two of the continent’s most successful women’s teams in a battle for a place in the final—and much more.
Having brushed aside Cameroon 83–47 in the quarterfinals, D’Tigress extended their unbeaten AfroBasket run to 27 matches, further solidifying their dominance on the continent. But Senegal, 11-time champions and perennial contenders, present a formidable hurdle.
A victory on Saturday would propel Nigeria into their fifth consecutive AfroBasket final and move them a step closer to claiming an unprecedented fifth straight title—an achievement no other team has accomplished in the history of the tournament.
Beyond the pursuit of silverware, the stakes are even higher. By reaching the last four, Nigeria has already secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament. But a win over Senegal would further affirm their global ambitions and continental supremacy.
The semifinal promises fireworks, with both teams boasting deep rosters and a fierce competitive edge.
Nigeria defeated Senegal in the finals of the last two editions (2019 and 2021), adding more fuel to the already intense rivalry.
As the D’Tigress continue their quest for a historic fifth title, all eyes will be on Abidjan for what could be the defining game of the tournament.
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Basketball
D’Tigress Crush Cameroon to Reach AfroBasket Semifinals, Extend Unbeaten Run to 27

Nigeria’s D’Tigress underlined their status as queens of African basketball once again on Thursday night with a resounding 83–47 victory over Cameroon to secure a place in the semifinals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Abidjan.
The quarterfinal clash at the Palais des Sports de Treichville was never in doubt, as the reigning champions asserted their dominance from the outset. After racing to a 41–29 lead at halftime, D’Tigress completely overpowered the Lionesses in the second half, outscoring them 42–18 to seal a commanding 36-point win.
Amy Okonkwo led the charge with an inspired performance, contributing 18 points, six rebounds, and one assist. She was backed by Nicole Enabosi and Victoria Macaulay, who both added 12 points apiece, while Elizabeth Balogun chipped in 11.
Team captain Sarah Ogoke, returning after missing the group stage, made an immediate impact by knocking down a smooth three-pointer early in the contest to energize the squad and fans alike.
In a display of remarkable depth and unity, all 12 players on the Nigerian roster saw court time—and every one of them got on the scoresheet.
Speaking after the game, head coach Rena Wakama hailed her players’ commitment and execution: “This team continues to grow in confidence and cohesion. I’m proud of their discipline, especially defensively, and the way everyone contributed to this victory.”
The triumph carries extra emotional weight for D’Tigress, whose last loss at the AfroBasket came a decade ago—ironically against Cameroon in the 2015 semifinals. Since then, Nigeria has strung together 27 consecutive wins in the competition, underscoring their dominance in African women’s basketball.
Earlier in the tournament, the defending champions cruised through Group D, opening with a 92–45 blowout win over Rwanda before overcoming a resilient Mozambican side 60–55 in a tougher test, which secured them the top spot in the group and earned them direct qualification to the last eight.
With the semifinals now in sight, D’Tigress will be looking to continue their unbeaten streak and move one step closer to claiming a record-extending fifth consecutive AfroBasket title.
Their next opponents will be determined after the conclusion of the remaining quarterfinal fixtures.
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