‎Our Afrobasket Dominance Will Inspire Young Girls Globally— D'Tigress Captain

Muhyideen Jimoh
Aug, Mon, 2025

Sports

‎Our Afrobasket dominance will inspire young girls globally— D’Tigress captain

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By Muhyideen Jimoh

‎D’Tigress captain Amy Okonkwo says the team’s historic Afrobasket run will inspire girls in Nigeria and beyond to embrace basketball.

‎Okonkwo stated this on Monday at a reception organised by President Bola Tinubu at the State House for the team after clinching a record fifth consecutive and seventh overall Afrobasket title in Côte d’Ivoire.

‎The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the D’Tigress defeated Mali 78–64 in the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship, continuing their unbeaten streak and continental dominance.‎

‎Okonkwo, who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and his team for the warm reception.‎

‎”I just want to say on behalf of the D’Tigress that we are so, so thankful to be here today. I’m thankful that we get to represent our country.”‎

‎”We’re thankful to be able to continue our excellence in our sport, the gift that God gave us. It means the world to us to be hosted here today.”

‎”To be able to represent our country in this way, to bring back another championship.”

‎She said the team’s continued success would inspire the next generation of female athletes across the world.‎

‎”This victory will inspire young women, young girls around the world, that they can one day be in our shoes.”

‎Okonkwo praised the team’s support system, emphasising the collective effort behind their triumph.

‎”I give thanks to every one of our staff, the GM, coach, doctors, President (NBBF) Chairman (NSC), everybody. We thank you all for your support.”

‎”Your continuing support in lifting us higher.”

‎She expressed confidence that this milestone would propel the team to aim even higher on the World Cup stage.

‎”With this victory, I don’t think the sky is our limit. I think we can go beyond and we can break barriers.”

‎NAN reports that with the win, D’Tigress also booked a spot at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany, scheduled for Sept. 4 to Sept. 13.

‎The win marks their 29th consecutive victory in Afrobasket , a streak that began in 2015 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.‎

‎President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the reception, announced a reward of $100,000 for each member of the team, a flat for each, and the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).‎(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

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