The six-time champions, Nigeria’s D’Tigress, have advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket tournament by defeating Cameroon 83-47 and keeping their title defense campaign alive in Cote d’Ivoire, fiba.basketball reports.
The victory extends their unbeaten run in Africa to 27, dating back to 2015, while moving them closer to a record fifth title in a row. Only Senegal have achieved Nigeria’s current feat of four.
Following the dominant win against Cameroon, D’Tigress will now face Seengal in the semi-finals on Saturday August 2.
Jessica Thomas and Maria Ewodo got the Indomitable Lionesses off to a 4-0 start with their hot hands, but that was the only dominance they would enjoy once reigning MVP Amy Okonkwo got the defending champions on the board with a free throw.
With a Elizabeth Balogun jump shot, Rena Wakama’s side took the lead at 5-4, going on an 8-0 run in the last 2:40 to lead 21-9.
Cameroon adjusted on both ends of the floor to match D’Tigress at 20 points in the second quarter. The first-quarter slump saw them trailing 41-29 at halftime.
However, a 25-2 run in the third quarter sealed the fate of the 2021 bronze medalists, rendering their 16-14 lead in the fourth quarter too little, too late.
Despite Okonkwo’s 18 points in just under 19 minutes, the victory was a team effort.
All but one player who got more than 10 minutes of playing time got on the scoreboard with at least one basket. Four players scored in the double digits.
Cameroon was dominated 46-15 in paint points, 21-8 in fast break contributions, and 26-6 in points off turnovers. The Nigerian bench also dominated with a 42-15 advantage.
While D’Tigress continues to rewrite the history of women’s basketball in Africa, Cameroon, a former silver medalist, is fighting for fifth place, which would be an improvement of one place from their performance in 2023.
