Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, kicked off their title defense at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket in emphatic fashion, cruising to a dominant 92-45 victory over Rwanda in their opening group game on Saturday at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Abidjan.

The six-time African champions wasted no time asserting their dominance, winning all four quarters with scores of 17-8, 28-17, 26-12, and 21-8. The result extends Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the tournament, which dates back to the semi-finals of the 2015 edition.

Coach Rena Wakama’s side looked sharp and composed throughout, putting up 70 field goal attempts and converting 35. They out-rebounded Rwanda 44-28, dished out 25 assists, and tallied 14 steals and two blocks a true all-round team effort.

Rwanda struggled to keep up, managing only 15 successful field goals from 52 attempts. Their 22 turnovers further compounded their woes, despite individual efforts from Destiney Philoxy (11 points, four rebounds) and Keisha Hampton (10 points).

D’Tigress had several standout performers, with five players scoring in double figures. Elizabeth Balogun led the charge with a game-high 18 points and four rebounds, while Victoria Macaulay added 13 points. Murjanatu Musa contributed 12 points and five boards, Ifunaya Okoro chipped in 11 points, and Amy Okonkwo posted 10 points and four rebounds. Impressively, all members of the squad got on the scoreboard, including debutant Vera Ojenuwa, who notched four points on her national team bow.

Up next for Nigeria is a clash against Mozambique on Monday. A win will guarantee their place in the quarter-finals as they continue their quest for a seventh continental crown.