By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria on Saturday began their title defence in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket after whipping Rwanda 92–45 in the opening match decided at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
The Nigerian side are the defending champions and have won the championship a record four times consecutively.
Throughout the encounter, the Nigerian team mostly known as D’Tigress, showed grit and top composure to triumph in the four quarters.
From start to finish, Nigeria won 17–8, 28–17, 24–12, and 21–8.
In between the match, five D’Tigress players scored in double figures in the dominant win, as Guard Elizabeth Balogun led the charge with a game-high 18 points, followed by Victoria Macaulay with 13 points.
Murjanatu Musa added 12 points, Ifunanya Okoro chipped in 11, and Amy Okonkwo contributed 10 points to round out a balanced team performance.
In the first match of the day, Senegal, being one of the tournament’s favourites and coached by former D’Tigress head coach Otis Hughley, outclassed Guinea 92–48.
