Women’s Afrobasket: D’Tigress Advance to Quarterfinals after Late Surge in Clash vs Mozambique

Nigeria’s senior female basketball team, D’Tigress, have advanced to the quarterfinals of the ongoing FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship after rising from a trailing position to win 60-55 against Mozambique in their final Group D game on Monday, July 28, 2025, at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Côte d’Ivoire.

The D’Tigress went into the encounter on the back of a 92-45 thumping of Rwanda, and with their recent dominance over Mozambique, winning 59-52 in the Quarterfinals of the 2023 edition, they were expected to get the win without much sweat.

D’tigress pose for a photo after comeback win vs Mozambique.

Stepping on the court, the D’Tigress found themselves struggling to make shots, as they trailed 9-13 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, they were down 24-28.

With the winner of the game earning straight advancement to the quarterfinals, and the loser going into the qualifiers, as well as their 25-0 winning streak since 2015, on the line, the team regrouped and gave a strong fight.

Coach of the Nigeria Women’s Basketball Team, Rena Wakama.

The third quarter saw the Rena Wakama-led side reduce the deficit to one, 42-43. In the fourth and final quarter, they stepped up defensively with Murjanatu Musa, Ezinne Kalu and Pallas Kunayi leading the way in blocks and steals. They also improved in their shooting with Ezinne Kalu doing the business. Their efforts saw them take a 45-43 lead and eventually a 60-55 victory.

Promise Amukamara, D’Tigress Point Guard.

Nigeria’s resurgence started with Promise Amukamara’s three-pointer, giving Nigeria a 45-42 lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter..

Nigeria then played more aggressively on defense, while Mozambique struggled to keep pace. Kalu made a layup and followed it with a free throw, putting Mozambique in trouble.

Mozambique made a strong comeback with a drive from Inglid Mucauro, narrowing the score to 50-49 with 4:30 minutes left in the game. Just as things began to look hopeful for Mozambique, Leia Dongue, one of their key players, fouled out. Additionally, Carla Covane, a vital physical presence for Mozambique in the paint, also exited the game due to fouls with 4:13 remaining. Nigeria took advantage of their absence and ultimately secured the victory.

Nigeria took advantage of Mozambique’s 20 turnovers, scoring 12 points from 10 of them early in the game, and added another 10 points from subsequent turnovers.

Murjanatu Musa in action vs Mozambique in the Women’s Afrobasket Championship.

Standout player, Murjanatu Musa, became the first player to record a double-double with 5+ Steals and 3+ Blocks in the tournament as she scored 12 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, made three assists and snatched five steals, shooting 54% field goals.

Ezinne Kalu in action vs Mozambique in the Women’s Afrobasket Championship.

Ezinne Kalu, the 2019 Women’s AfroBasket Most Valuable Player (MVP), who ties Murjanatu Musa for the most steals at the tournament this season, scored 16 points, grabbed three assists and rebounds a piece, and had five steals, shooting 44% field goals.

Promise Amukamara also had a good outing recording 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal. While Pallas Kunaiyi who got only ten minutes on the court, made the most of her game time, and contributed hugely to the defence and win in the final minutes with two crucial blocks, six points and five rebounds, shooting 50% field goals.

Nigeria’s captain and forward Amy Okonkwo.

Speaking after the game, Nigeria captain and forward Amy Okonkwo, gave credit to Mozambique, underscoring Nigeria’s defensive work as the difference between the sides on the day.

“Mozambique is a really good team. They’re well-coached, they ran their plays well, and they played beautifully together. It was a tough game, but we pulled it out and got the win. At first, they were playing harder than us, but we found our rhythm and started making defensive stops. I think that was the difference between us.”

The win not only sends the D’Tigress to the quarterfinals, it showcases their dominance on the continent with a 26-0 winning run that dates back to 2025 and keeps them in the chase for a historic fifth straight Women’s Afrobasket Championship title.

Photo credits: FIBA