Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, the D’Tigress, have once again demonstrated their dominance on the African stage with a commanding victory over Mozambique to book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket. The defending champions continued their title defense with a 72-58 win in a high-energy match played in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
This win sees Nigeria maintain their unbeaten run in the group stage, underlining their status as one of the tournament favorites. Despite facing a determined Mozambican side, the D’Tigress showcased the depth, athleticism, and tactical discipline that have made them the team to beat in African women’s basketball.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
From the opening tip-off, Nigeria wasted no time imposing themselves on the game. The team raced to a 20-12 lead by the end of the first quarter, driven by the aggressive play of captain Amy Okonkwo and the dynamic point guard Elizabeth Balogun. Mozambique struggled to cope with Nigeria’s physicality and fast-paced transition play, frequently giving up turnovers that the D’Tigress turned into quick points.
Nigeria’s perimeter shooting was also on point early in the contest, with back-to-back three-pointers from Sarah Ogoke and Balogun stretching the Mozambican defense thin. Head coach Rena Wakama’s tactical preparation was evident, as the D’Tigress pressed hard and forced Mozambique into poor shot selections and rushed possessions.
Mozambique’s Fightback Falls Short
To their credit, Mozambique did not go down without a fight. Led by captain Leia Dongue and the energetic Tamara Seda, they mounted a mini-comeback in the second quarter. Their improved ball movement and aggressive drives to the basket saw them cut the lead to just six points going into halftime, trailing 36-30.
However, that was as close as Mozambique would get. Nigeria came out of the locker room re-energized and quickly widened the gap again in the third quarter. The D’Tigress went on a 12-0 scoring run midway through the quarter, exploiting their superior bench depth and athletic advantage. Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah was instrumental during this stretch, dominating the boards and contributing key blocks and second-chance points.
Experience and Depth Make the Difference
What ultimately separated the two teams was Nigeria’s composure and squad depth. Every time Mozambique threatened to close the gap, Nigeria responded with clinical execution on both ends of the floor. The D’Tigress showed why they’ve won the last three editions of the Afrobasket with a performance marked by poise under pressure and strategic rotation of players to maintain intensity.
Coach Wakama praised her players after the game, saying, “We knew Mozambique would be a tough opponent. They have quality players and fight hard, but I’m proud of how we stuck to our game plan. Our goal was to make it to the quarter-finals, and now we focus on what’s next.”
Star Performers
Several Nigerian players stood out in the victory. Amy Okonkwo led all scorers with 18 points, adding seven rebounds and two assists. Balogun chipped in 14 points and five assists, while Kunaiyi-Akpanah posted a near double-double with 9 points and 11 rebounds. The team’s ability to share the scoring load and defend as a unit was key to the win.
For Mozambique, Dongue had a solid outing with 16 points and six rebounds, while Seda added 12 points and kept the defensive intensity up throughout the game. However, they struggled with Nigeria’s full-court pressure and committed 18 turnovers, which proved costly.
What’s Next?
With the win, Nigeria finish atop their group and move directly into the quarter-finals, avoiding the qualification playoffs. Their next opponent will be determined after the conclusion of the preliminary round, but the D’Tigress will undoubtedly be the favorites no matter who they face.
Mozambique, meanwhile, will now have to battle it out in the qualification playoffs, where they still have a chance to reach the last eight. While the loss to Nigeria is a setback, their earlier performances in the group suggest they are capable of rebounding quickly.
Nigeria’s Eyes on the Prize
For Nigeria, the mission remains clear: defend their title and win a fourth consecutive Women’s Afrobasket crown. The signs so far are promising. With a well-balanced squad, a smart tactical approach, and an unshakeable winning mentality, the D’Tigress continue to fly the flag high for Nigerian basketball.
As the tournament moves into the knockout phase, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if anyone can stop this juggernaut. But for now, Nigeria’s place in the quarter-finals is well-deserved—and their
quest for gold remains firmly on track.
