Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has been rewarded by the Federal Government with national honours, cash gifts, and real estate following their record-breaking fifth consecutive AfroBasket Women’s Championship win.
At a special reception held in Abuja on Monday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced that each player would receive the Order of the Niger (OON), $100,000 in cash, and a housing unit in recognition of their outstanding achievement. Members of the technical crew, led by Coach Rena Wakama, were also awarded $50,000 each.
The gesture mirrors a similar reward extended to the Super Falcons for their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph, continuing the government’s commitment to recognizing excellence in women’s sports.
D’Tigress clinched their seventh AfroBasket title after a thrilling 78–64 victory over Mali in the final, solidifying their dominance in African basketball. The win marked their 29th consecutive victory in the tournament, an unbeaten run stretching back to 2015.
Though the team had a slow start in the final, they regrouped quickly, ending the second quarter tied at 41–41. A strong second-half performance, especially in the third quarter where they outscored Mali 20–15, proved decisive.
Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu delivered standout performances, scoring 19 and 20 points respectively. Their efforts were complemented by crucial plays from Promise Amukamara, Victoria Macaulay, and Musa, who added nine points and four rebounds.
D’Tigress overcame a tough semifinal battle against Senegal, winning 75–68 in what many fans described as the “real final” of the tournament.
This historic fifth consecutive title has cemented D’Tigress’ status as the most formidable women’s basketball team in Africa, earning praise both at home and across the continent.
