In a remake of the 2023 Women’s AfroBasket Final, this time set one stage earlier, Nigeria once again dominated Senegal 75-68 to book their fifth straight ticket to the Championship Game. But the reigning champions had to face some demons on the way.
Last Updated on
August 3, 2025
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Nigeria’s reign over African women’s basketball continues. In a gritty semifinal showdown loaded with history and high stakes, the defending champions edged Senegal 75–68 to book a fifth consecutive trip to the Women’s AfroBasket final and stretch their astonishing winning streak to 28 games.
Senegal fought hard, led by Cierra Dillard’s scoring brilliance, but it wasn’t enough to topple a Nigerian team that has refused to lose since October 2015.
The matchup between Nigeria and Senegal is the fiercest rivalry in African women’s basketball. These are the two most successful teams in the tournament’s history, and every time they clash, it’s about more than a win — it’s about legacy.
Senegal last beat Nigeria at the AfroBasket in 2011. Since then, it’s been all Nigeria: seven straight victories, including the 2017 and 2019 finals. Saturday’s win deepens that grip, reaffirming Nigeria’s dominance with a perfect AfroBasket record that now spans nearly a decade.
The last time Nigeria tasted defeat in this competition was a third-place matchup in 2015. Since that October night in Yaoundé, they’ve stacked 28 consecutive wins — the longest streak in tournament history.
“I think it was a very tough game. We were up most of the time, we had a bit of lows, but we could find our rhythm again and take back the lead", says Nigerian shooting guard Amy Okonkwo.
Though she doesn’t mention it, the shooting guard acknowledged that Ezinne Kalu has now joined theMVP title race.
“Ezinne is anincredible leader, she has incredible energy. She’s an energy spark and getting us together. She’s making sure we’re all fighting because that’s how we were to win the game.”
Despite Nigeria’s supremacy, Senegal didn’t come to roll over. They outscored Nigeria 21–9 in a stunning third-quarter run, flipping the script and briefly taking control. But like champions do, Nigeria responded.
Ezinne Kalu — the 2019 MVP — came through in the clutch. Her late-game steal and fast-break finish with just two minutes left was the turning point. It swung momentum back to Nigeria, giving them a 69–66 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Victory Macaulay followed up with a decisive hook shot, while Promise Amukamara sealed it at the free-throw line. Macaulay stepped up big in the absence of Murjanatu Musa, who fouled out, blocking three shots and grabbing three steals.
Nigeria’s core four —Kalu, Amukamara, Amy Okonkwo, and Macaulay — combined for 63 of the team’s 75 points.
“I’m disappointed! It’s a tough game to lose. I feel like we had it. I wish we could have a couple of possessions back. But hats off to Nigeria, they’re a top team. It’s not a sense of revenge.
We just wanted to get the game back. We knew it was a remake of the last Women’s AfroBasket Final, and we knew it was going to be a good game, a fight to the end,” says Senegal star point guard Cierra Dillard in a post-game interview.
While being called outby the referee could have blurred her vision of the outcome, she chooses sportsmanship over complaining.
“I don’t think it’s my right and my time to comment on thereferees calls. I think there were lots of flops on both sides of the court,”she add.
Dillard, Senegal’s leader and top scorer, dropped 26 points, adding seven rebounds and three assists. She fought until the end but fouled out with nine seconds on the shot clock, leaving Senegal with no path back.
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Only Ndioma Kane joined Dillard in double figures for Senegal. The rest of the team struggled under Nigeria’s pressure defense, especially in crunch time. Senegal committed 23 turnovers, 14 of them in the second half — a fatal flaw against a team that thrives on capitalization.
Nigeria’s championship pedigree was once again on full display. Their aggressive defense shut down Senegal’s inside game and forced mistakes at key moments. They absorbed Senegal’s third-quarter surge and still found the extra gear when it mattered.
With this win, Nigeria not only continued their AfroBasket dominance but also sent a clear message: they are still the team to beat. On Sunday, they’ll face either Mali with a chance to lift a fourth straight title.
As for Senegal, the drought against Nigeria extends another year. Despite an improved tactical showing and standout effort from Dillard, the result was the same — a hard-fought loss to a team that continues to set the standard in African basketball.
The Palais des Sports de Treichville was rocking from tip-off to buzzer, for a game that delivered everything it promised: intensity, drama, and elite-level basketball.
In the end, Nigeria stood tallest once more.
[Photography/Imagery : Courtesy of FIBA]
