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Tag: Afrobasket

  • AfroBasket: Nwifuru, Reps member hail Ebonyi-born D’Tigress star Blessing Ejiofor

    AfroBasket: Nwifuru, Reps member hail Ebonyi-born D’Tigress star Blessing Ejiofor

    Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and the lawmaker representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, Hon. Kama Nkemkanma, have congratulated Nigerian basketball star Blessing Ejiofor for her key role in D’Tigress’ fifth consecutive AfroBasket Women’s Championship title in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

    In a statement on Tuesday, Governor Nwifuru described Ejiofor, a native of Okposi in Ohaozara Local Government Area, as a source of pride to Ebonyi State and a powerful symbol of what determination and hard work can achieve.

    “You have created another moment of history with your achievement, and we are incredibly proud of you,” the governor said. “For every girl-child from Ebonyi, you are an inspiration, showing that hard work and dedication can lead to great accomplishments.”

    He also applauded Ejiofor’s commitment to girl-child empowerment through her work with the Muna Foundation’s Girls Empowerment Camp, calling her a beacon of hope and a role model.

    Read Also: AfroBasket  2025: Victorious D’Tigress clinch FIBA Women’s World Cup spot

    In a separate message, Hon. Nkemkanma commended Ejiofor’s contribution to Nigeria’s continued dominance in African women’s basketball, praising her for elevating the image of Ebonyi State through her outstanding performance.

    “Your journey from local playcourts to the prestigious courts of Vanderbilt University, Chipola, West Virginia University, and now D’Tigress is a shining example of relentless dedication and talent,” he said.

    Nkemkanma described Ejiofor as a role model for youth, lauding her for representing her constituency, state, and nation with “grace, strength, and excellence.”

    Ejiofor was a member of the victorious D’Tigress team that clinched the 2025 AfroBasket title, further cementing Nigeria’s dominance in women’s basketball on the continent.

  • FULL LIST: Countries with highest FIBA Women’s AfroBasket trophies

    FULL LIST: Countries with highest FIBA Women’s AfroBasket trophies

    History was made in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as Nigeria’s D’Tigress stamped their authority on African women’s basketball, clinching their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title in emphatic fashion. The 78-64 win over Mali not only extended their unbeaten run to 29 games since 2015, but also cemented their status as Africa’s most dominant side of the modern era.

    With seven overall titles, Nigeria now trails only Senegal in the all-time standings, closing in fast on the West African giants’ long-held record of 11 championships. From underdogs to a team feared across the continent, D’Tigress are no longer just defending champions—they are a growing dynasty rewriting the very fabric of the game in Africa.

    Here is the full list of countries that have lifted the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket trophy, and the years they claimed continental glory:

    1. Senegal – 11 titles

    Years won: 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2009, 2015

    2. Nigeria – 7 titles

    Years won: 2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025

    3. Zaire (now DR Congo) – 3 titles

    Years won: 1983, 1986, 1994

    Read Also: AfroBasket title: Tinubu  reaffirms support  for ‘Five Star’  D’Tigress

    4. Angola – 2 titles

    Years won: 2011, 2013

    5. Mali – 1 title

    Year won: 2007

  • D’Tigress : NSC keeps  cash-strapped NBBF waiting for Afrobasket

    D’Tigress : NSC keeps  cash-strapped NBBF waiting for Afrobasket

    D’Tigress’ ability to defend their African Nations Cup (Afrobasket) is on a shaky note as the African champions are going to Abidjan for the competition in a manner that they have never done in the past 10 years.

    As of the weekend, nobody in the Nigeria Basketball Federation or the supervisory National Sports Commission could give a specific date of departure for the national team, with the event taking the tip-off on July 26.

    We learned from the authority that the NSC has not been able to provide the flight tickets for a trip to Cote d’Ivoire, and that is the reason the NBBF cannot give the host or FIBA Africa a specific itinerary for the team.

    “There is no fund yet, but of course, we are the defending champions, and so the whole world knows that we will be there,” a member of the federation said.

    Read Also: NFF, Ogun State seal pact on football matches and events!

    The check through the programmes of the NBBF showed that the NSC was scheduled to release funds for the 2025 Afrobasket in May, ahead of the naming of the squad. This was to enable the Federation to get the players’ tickets to Abuja for the camping and tournament, designed as a part of their training schedule. The NBBF could not hold any camping in the USA, as they had always done, as the NSC leadership insisted that D’Tigress should camp in Abuja. The Nigerian women are already a month behind the original schedule for their camping. The NBBF is now in panic mode as they watch the African title possibly slip into the hands of countries like Senegal or Mali, who have been in camp for long periods.

    “My concern is that a few new players are getting into the team and bringing up the matter of team chemistry. It is better if the players blend before the tournament begins rather than use the first three matches to get to know themselves. The coach has deployed a few things here and there to help the team build up, but like being together on the same court. It’s a tough one psychologically, especially when the players look across and see what the Senegalese are doing.”

    It is indeed a very critical period for the NBBF and the national teams’ funding, which has left the NSC quite stretched and seemingly helpless. Apart from the African U18 and U20 athletics competition starting in Abeokuta this week, the basketball federation alone has three international competitions in July and August. The Women’s U19 team won their opening game against China on Saturday in the Czech Republic. The NBBF flagship team D’Tigress are billed to start their event in Abidjan by the end of the month, while the men, D’Tigers, will be in Angola in August for Afrobasket men.

    The women’s Afrobasket in Abidjan is the first stage of the qualifiers for the FIBA Women’s World Cup.

  • AfroBasket 2025: D’Tigress to begin  title defence against Mozambique, Rwanda

    AfroBasket 2025: D’Tigress to begin  title defence against Mozambique, Rwanda

    Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, will slug it out with  Mozambique and Rwanda in Group D of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket following the official draw ceremony held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

    The 12 participating teams were split into four groups of three, with tournament hosts Côte d’Ivoire drawn into Group A alongside Angola and Egypt.

    Group B features continental powerhouse Mali, Cameroon, and South Sudan, while 2023 finalists Senegal headline Group C with Uganda and Guinea.

    Reigning champions D’Tigress, who are chasing a record-extending seventh AfroBasket title and fifth on the bounce, will be looking to recover from a quarter-final exit at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

    According to the tournament format, group winners will secure direct spots in the quarter-finals, while the second- and third-placed teams in each group will battle in a qualification round to determine the remaining spots in the last eight.

    Read Also: NFF to organize Coach Educators’ programme in June

    The 2025 Women’s AfroBasket is scheduled to tip off from July 26 to August 3 at the iconic Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan.

    Full Group Draw:

    Group A: Côte d’Ivoire, Angola, Egypt

    Group B: Mali, Cameroon, South Sudan

    Group C: Senegal, Uganda, Guinea

    Group D: Nigeria, Mozambique, Rwanda

  • AfroBasket: J’Tigers, J’Tigress return aboard Kenyan Airways

    AfroBasket: J’Tigers, J’Tigress return aboard Kenyan Airways

    Nigeria’s Under-18 men’s and women’s teams the J’Tigers and J’Tigress are billed to return to the country Monday morning just as Nigerians relax at home with the public today.

    The Head of the Nigerian Delegation to the Afrobasket U18 championship just concluded in South Africa Saturday night, Ugo Udezue confirmed the team’s schedule.

     “Both teams are arriving in the country by 11am on Monday aboard a Kenyan Airways flight,” he said.

    The ladies are returning to Lagos with a ticket to the FIBA U19 World Cup that will be held in the Czech Republic between July 12 and 20.

    Read Also: Sodje raps NFF for delaying Eagles coaching appointment   

    J’Tigress lost the women’s final match to Mali 76-56 on Saturday.

    But J’Tigers could not make it to the final game as they were beaten by Mali in the semi-finals on Friday. Mali successfully defended their top position by beating Cameroon 60-51 on Saturday.

    The two teams in the final matches will represent Africa at the world event.

  • Junior Digress pummel Zimbabwe  at Afrobasket  

    Junior Digress pummel Zimbabwe  at Afrobasket  

    Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress recovered from their opening day loss to Egypt to acquire an emphatic victory over Zimbabwe yesterday at the ongoing FIBA Africa Under 18 Afrobasket in South Africa.

    The Nigerian women’s junior national basketball team hammered their Zimbabwean counterparts 107-30 points in the group C matchup.

    Idubamo Beggi scored  a game high 20 points while Haminatu Ayodeji pull down 12 rebounds to help Nigeria to the win.

    Read Also: FULL LIST: Eight Nigerians nominated for Ballon d’Or award

    The Junior D’Tigress who led in all quarters of the match now top the standings, pending the outcome of the tie between former leaders Egypt and Uganda.

    Up next for Nigeria are the Ugandans on Sunday 8.

    Meanwhile,  a highly fatigued Nigeria’s Under-18 boys’ team, the Junior D’Tigers,  two nights ago  lost their opening match to Egypt 70-57 in the on-going Afrobasket.

    The Nigerian boys will play their next match against Angola tomorrow.