D’Tigress edge Mozambique to extend 10-year unbeaten Afrobasket run
Defending champions D’Tigress of Nigeria fought back from a first-quarter setback to defeat Mozambique in their second game at the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Monday, booking their place in the quarter-finals.
The African champions lost the first quarter 13-9 and tied the second 15-15 before dominating the third and fourth quarters to secure a hard-fought 60-55 win.
The encounter mirrored their quarter-final clash at the 2023 edition of the tournament, where Nigeria edged Mozambique 59-52 after trailing in the opening quarters.
The Nigerian ladies took time to settle into their rhythm against a determined and aggressive Mozambican side that had not beaten D’Tigress in their last seven meetings, dating back to 2013.
Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, urged the players to remain focused as they head into the business end of the tournament, reminding them that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is committed to rewarding them handsomely if they retain their title.
“We are lucky to have a sports-loving president who rewards excellence, as seen in his gesture toward the victorious Super Falcons,” Olopade said. “Nigerian sports has never had it this good, and the results are showing across all disciplines.”
“I urge our elegant D’Tigress in Côte d’Ivoire to stay dedicated and disciplined, especially now that they’ve entered the knockout stage. It’s mission five-in-a-row, and the entire country is behind them to bring home the AfroBasket trophy for Mr. President, just as the Super Falcons have done.”
The victory stretched D’Tigress’ unbeaten run at the Afrobasket to 26 straight wins since October 2015, bringing them one step closer to a fifth consecutive continental title.
