Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, are fully prepared to face Senegal in a high-stakes semifinal clash at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket on Saturday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The reigning champions extended their dominance in Africa with a commanding 83–47 win over Cameroon on Thursday, sealing a spot in the final four and qualifying for the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments.
Saturday’s clash against Senegal comes with added emotional weight, as Nigeria will square off against their former head coach, Otis Hughley, now in charge of the Senegalese team.
Hughley led Nigeria to back-to-back AfroBasket titles in 2017 and 2019.
Head coach Rena Wakama acknowledged the intensity of the fixture, saying, “It’s going to be emotional and very physical, but we know our mission here and won’t allow distractions.”
Senegal booked their semifinal place with a gritty 66–60 win over hosts Ivory Coast.
The match sets up a classic West African rivalry between two African basketball giants, both chasing a record fifth consecutive AfroBasket title.
Team captain Murjanatu Musa emphasized the importance of teamwork: “We played together and did what we do best. We’ll give our all to reach the final.”
Veteran guard Ezinne Kalu added, “This is Nigerian basketball—fight, energy, and unity. We know what’s at stake and are ready for the battle.”
D’Tigress are riding a historic 27-game unbeaten run in the competition and are on the verge of setting a new record with five straight AfroBasket titles—a feat never achieved by any team on the continent.
The winner of Nigeria vs. Senegal will face either Mali or South Sudan in the final.