President Bola Tinubu has extended heartfelt congratulations to Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, following their qualification for the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament—marking their fifth consecutive appearance in the championship game.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu praised the team’s resilience and dominance after a hard-fought 75-68 victory over perennial rivals Senegal in the semi-final clash held at the Palais de la Sport, Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The President noted that the win not only secured Nigeria’s place in the final of the continental tournament but also earned them a berth in the qualifying tournaments for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, scheduled for March 2026.
“I have observed the discipline, focus, and team spirit consistently displayed by D’Tigress throughout this tournament—qualities that have brought honour to our nation and earned respect for our players and coaches worldwide,” Tinubu said.
He particularly lauded Rena Wakama, the first female Head Coach of the national team, for her exemplary leadership and contributions to the team’s success, both as a former player and now from the sidelines.
President Tinubu assured the team of his continued support as they aim to clinch their fifth consecutive AfroBasket title and seventh overall, describing their semi-final win as “the final before the final.”
The D’Tigress will face the winner of the second semi-final in the championship game, with hopes of defending their crown and extending their continental dominance.