Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, fought back from a halftime deficit to defeat Mozambique 60-55 in a closely contested Group B game at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The victory keeps the defending champions unbeaten as they chase a historic fifth consecutive title.
The match, held at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, offered a stark contrast to Nigeria’s tournament opener where they dismantled Rwanda 92-45. Against Mozambique, it was a far more competitive affair that tested the team’s resilience and ability to adapt under pressure.
Nigeria edged the first quarter 13-9, but Mozambique responded with confidence, matching Nigeria point for point in the second quarter and going into the break with a 28-24 lead. It was a shaky first half for the champions, who looked out of sync and unable to dominate the tempo as they usually do.
However, D’Tigress came out of halftime with renewed energy. Led by their experienced core, they trimmed the deficit with an 18-15 third-quarter run, narrowing the gap to just one point. In the final quarter, Nigeria found their rhythm, combining defensive stops with efficient offense to outscore Mozambique 18-12, ultimately securing a narrow but vital five-point win.
Ezinne Kalu was instrumental in the win, finishing with 16 points and four assists to guide the team through tough stretches. Promise Amukamara also made a strong impact, scoring 13 points and pulling down six rebounds, while Murjanatu Musa delivered a standout performance with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
With this hard-earned win, D’Tigress have now won their first two group games and remain on track for another deep run in the tournament. The team’s ability to grind out victories under pressure, in addition to their offensive firepower, shows why they remain the favorites to lift the trophy again this year. As the group stage continues, Nigeria’s focus will be on maintaining momentum and fine-tuning their execution ahead of the knockout rounds.
