Nigeria’s women’s basketball team cemented their dynasty with a dominant 78–64 victory over Mali in the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket final in Abidjan, claiming an unprecedented fifth consecutive continental crown.
The win doesn’t just add more silverware to Nigeria’s packed trophy cabinet, it also earns them a spot in next year’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, as they set their sights on Berlin 2026.
The showdown was a fiery rematch of the 2021 final, and once again, Nigeria reigned supreme.
After a shaky start and trailing early, the D’Tigress found their rhythm in the second quarter, thanks to a surge led by floor general Ezinne Kalu, tying the game 41–41 at halftime.
Then, Amy Okonkwo took over!
Right after the break, Okonkwo drained a clutch three-pointer to put Nigeria up 44–41—a lead they never relinquished. Mali tried to claw their way back in the final frame, narrowing the gap to just four points, but Nigeria turned up the pressure and closed the game with authority.
Okonkwo, who finished with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting (including 4-of-7 from downtown), was named Tournament MVP, anchoring both ends of the floor with poise and power. Ezinne Kalu, an inspiration for Nigeria, led the scoring chart with 20 points and was a constant threat every time she touched the ball.
Mali’s Sika Koné delivered a valiant performance with 16 points and 13 rebounds, but the 2007 champions simply couldn’t match Nigeria’s depth and experience.
It marks Mali’s second straight AfroBasket final loss to Nigeria, following their defeat in Yaoundé in 2021.
No other nation has ever achieved five consecutive AfroBasket titles, a streak that began in 2015 and shows no signs of slowing down.
The All-Star Five featured Okonkwo alongside Senegal’s Cierra Dillard, South Sudan’s Delicia Washington, Uganda’s Jane Asinde, and Mali’s Sika Koné.
Next stop for the queens of African basketball: the World Cup qualifiers in March.
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