Mission V Accomplished: NBBF President, Kida dedicates D’Tigress historic feat to Tinubu
In a night that will echo through the annals of African sport, Nigeria’s D’Tigress rose to the summit of continental basketball once more, clinching a record-breaking fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title with a commanding 78–64 victory over Mali at the Palais des Sports Treichville in Abidjan.
The triumph was more than a win—it was a declaration. A decade of dominance, a legacy of resilience, and a symbol of national pride.
A jubilant Musa Kida, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), dedicated the historic feat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, hailing his Renewed Hope agenda as the catalyst for Nigeria’s sporting renaissance.
‘Tonight in Abidjan, our D’Tigress have done the extraordinary—Mission Five has become Mission V Accomplished!’ Kida declared. ‘Five AfroBasket titles in a row, and not losing a single match to any African national team is not just dominance—it is our legacy.’
Kida praised the team’s embodiment of the Nigerian spirit—resilient, bold, and unstoppable—and credited President Tinubu’s unwavering support for revitalizing sports across the nation.
‘Your leadership continues to inspire every slam dunk, every rebound, every triumph. Nigeria stands tall tonight, not just as champions, but as a beacon of what is possible when hope is renewed and excellence is pursued.’
The final was a war of wills. Mali struck first, taking the opening quarter 26–21. But under the tactical brilliance of Coach Rena Wakama, D’Tigress regrouped, tying the game 41–41 at halftime. The second half was all Nigeria—quarter scores of 20–15 and 17–8 sealed the deal.
Okonkwo’s performance earned her the 2025 MVP, joining legends like Mfon Udoka, Aya Traore, and Nacissela Mauricio as two-time winners.
Since their last loss in 2015, Nigeria has gone 29–0 in AfroBasket play.
Under Kida’s stewardship, D’Tigress didn’t just dominate Africa—they made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the first African women’s basketball team to reach the quarterfinals. Their success has inspired a new generation of athletes and elevated Nigeria’s global sporting reputation.
With automatic qualification to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, D’Tigress now set their sights on global conquest. But on Sunday night, the spotlight belongs to Africa’s undisputed queens.
