Nigeria’s D’Tigress have once again shown why they are Africa’s queens of the court after dismantling Cameroon 83-47 to book a place in the semi-finals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket.
Thursday’s dominant display in Abidjan not only sealed a last-four showdown against Senegal but also punched Nigeria’s ticket to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers.
Although Cameroon started brightly with an early 4-0 burst, Nigeria’s response was immediate and unrelenting. Within moments, they flipped the scoreline to 7-4.
From that point on, Coach Rena Wakama’s side tightened the screws by using their superior depth and energy to smother a weary Cameroonian squad that had only just come off a taxing clash with Angola.
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By halftime, the Nigerian ladies had built a commanding 36-18 lead, with Amy Okonkwo already stealing the show. The forward delivered a scintillating first-half performance, scoring 15 points and grabbing five rebounds. Her impact laid the foundation for a blowout, and the third quarter only widened the gulf – Nigeria led 66-31 heading into the final stretch.
In addition to Okonkwo’s final tally of 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist, Nigeria’s offence thrived through multiple contributors. Ezinne Kalu dictated the tempo with five smooth assists, while Nicole Enabosi added 12 points and valuable rebounding.
Meanwhile, Victoria Macaulay came off the bench with presence and precision. She ended with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and two blocks. Also, Elizabeth Balogun chipped in 11 points and helped on both ends of the floor.
Beyond the victory, Nigeria’s triumph carries greater significance. By reaching the semi-finals, the D’Tigress have secured their spot among the 24 teams headed for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments next March.
They will be joined by fellow African sides Mali, Senegal, and South Sudan, each of whom also progressed to the last four.
These four African giants now prepare to face off with the world’s best, as they prepare to face off with the world’s best, as they join qualifiers from the Americas like Brazil, Argentina, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Colombia.
Tags: #WomenAfrobasket2025, D’Tigress, FIBA World Cup qualifiers, Cameroon, Rena Wakama, Victoria Macaulay, Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Nicole Enabosi, Ezinne Kalu, FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers.
