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.
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.
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 Nigeria 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.
After the match, Murjanaty Musa said; “We played as a team, enjoying the game by doing what we do best, and this is the result. We feel great about making it to the semifinals again. We’ll try our best to make it to the finals. We know them and they know us. We just have to do our thing and see what happens in the end. “
