A stunning final quarter rally propelled Nigeria’s D’Tigress to a 75-68 victory over 11-time champions Senegal in Saturday’s Afrobasket 2025 semi-final, keeping alive their quest for a fifth consecutive continental title.
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Trailing 68-62 with seven minutes remaining, the defending champions appeared headed for elimination against a Senegal side chasing a record-extending 12th continental crown. However, D’Tigress demonstrated their championship pedigree with a blistering 23-10 finish that turned the tide decisively in their favour.
The match lived up to its billing as a clash of titans, featuring two of Africa’s basketball powerhouses in a keenly contested encounter. Nigeria, already on a four-title winning streak, faced their sternest test from a resilient Senegal team determined to reclaim continental supremacy.
D’Tigress established early control with a narrow 22-17 first-quarter victory in a fast-paced, closely fought opening period. They maintained their advantage through the second quarter, edging it 21-20 despite Senegal’s aggressive and resilient display.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter as Nigeria lost steam, allowing Senegal to dominate with a commanding 21-9 turnaround. This surge put the Senegalese in the driving seat and transformed what had been a Nigerian-controlled contest into a fierce battle for a final berth.
With Senegal leading by six points entering the final stretch, the stage was set for a tense finish. However, D’Tigress’ experience and fighting spirit proved decisive as they produced their most dominant quarter of the match when it mattered most.
The victory sends Nigeria through to the final, where they will face former champions Mali today at 7 pm Nigerian time. D’Tigress will be seeking to extend their remarkable reign as continental champions and cement their status as Africa’s premier women’s basketball nation. Since 2011, both teams have met six times at AfroBasket tournaments, each claiming three wins. Nigeria’s 70–59 victory over Mali in the 2021 final marked their third consecutive title and extended their dominance.
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