Women’s Afrobasket: 5-peat Chasing D’Tigress vs 11-time Champions Senegal, Semi-final Preview

Nigeria’s National Women’s Basketball team will Today, August 2, 2025, face off against 11-time champions Senegal by 7pm at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, for a place in the final of the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship.

Both sides have met 14 times, with Nigeria winning on nine occasions. Their most recent meeting was on Thursday, February 8, 2024, in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgium, where Nigeria won 72-65.

In the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, both sides met last in the final of the previous edition, where Nigeria won 84-74 to win a joint record fourth consecutive title. (Only Senegal has achieved the feat.) Senegal’s last victory over Nigeria was a 26-point win, 89-63, in the semifinals of the 2011 Women’s AfroBasket held in Mali. Earlier in the same tournament, Senegal also defeated Nigeria, 86-62, during the Group Phase. Since that time, Nigeria’s D’Tigresses have taken control.

What to expect

This semi-final clash promises to set off fireworks. Not only are both Nations powerhouses, they are also almost evenly matched in current form. The D’Tigress will face their former coach, Otis Hughley.

Nigeria has looked unstoppable in the tournament so far, with their only glaring weakness being their three-point shooting, which they have seemingly worked on, as seen in their demolition of Cameroon.

The Rena Wakama-led side has had a smoother journey to the semi-finals, finishing top of Group D and winning all three of their matches: 92-45 against Rwanda, 60-55 against Mozambique, and 83-47 against Cameroon. In contrast, Otis Hughley’s Senegal finished second in Group C after a 92-48 victory over Guinea and a 73-70 loss to Uganda. Senegal then had to compete in the quarter-final qualifiers, where they decisively defeated Rwanda 80-37. However, they faced a tough challenge in reaching the semi-finals, managing to win 66-60 against Côte d’Ivoire.

What does 1the stats say?

Nigeria have averaged 78.3% points per game, 44.3% rebounds per game(13.3% offensive and 31% defensive) 18.7% assists, 13.7% steals and 5.3% blocks per game. Senegal has averaged 77% points per game, 48.3% rebounds per game(20.5% offensive and 27.8% defensive) 19.3% assists, 17% steals and 3.5 blocks.

Senegal has averaged 28.3% points off turnovers, Nigeria are averaging 15% turnovers per game. Nigeria have averaged 24.3% points off turnovers, Senegal is averaging 17.3% turnovers per game.

Both Nations have recorded 21.3% fast break points per game. Senegal edges Nigeria in second-chance points with 16% to Nigeria’s 11.7%. Senegal shoots 43% points in the paint, Nigeria makes 37.3%. Senegal’s bench averages 32.5%, while Nigeria’s bench averages 29.3%.

Rena Wakama’s team is pursuing history as they aim to become the only team to win five consecutive titles, as well as stretching their unbeaten run to 27-0 in a decade-long dominance. Meanwhile, Senegal is seeking a record-extending 12th title and is eager to end a 10-year wait for their next title.

The winner of the Nigeria-Senegal encounter will book a place in the final against either Mali or South Sudan, who face off in the other semifinal.