President Bola Tinubu extended heartfelt congratulations to Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, for securing their fifth consecutive appearance in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket final, following a dramatic 75–68 semifinal victory over Senegal on August 02.
The match, held at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, showcased a remarkable comeback as the reigning champions trailed by eight points entering the final quarter before mounting a decisive surge, led by Ezinne Kalu’s 19 points and a clutch hook shot by Victory Macaulay that sealed a 69–66 lead. This triumph extends Nigeria’s unbeaten streak in the tournament to 28 matches since 2015, reinforcing their dominance in African women’s basketball.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the team’s resilience, discipline, and team spirit, qualities he said have brought honor to Nigeria and earned global respect for players and Coach Rena Wakama, the first female head coach of the team. Wakama’s strategic acumen was pivotal, guiding the team through a fiercely contested game where Senegal’s Cierra Dillard scored 26 points, nearly overturning Nigeria’s lead. The President highlighted the victory as “the final before the final,” noting it also qualifies D’Tigress for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers. While the celebration is widespread, some analysts question whether the team’s success masks underlying issues in Nigeria’s sports infrastructure, with funding and training facilities lagging despite international accolades. The narrative of sporting triumph is inspiring, but sustaining this level of excellence will require sustained investment beyond presidential praise.