Nigeria’s D’Tigress on Monday fought hard to defeat Mozambique 60-55 in their final group game at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
A huge second half helped the defending champions clinch their second win in as many games and improved their unbeaten record at the tournament to 26-0.
The D’Tigress persevered against a resolute Mozambique team at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, securing a victory that enabled them to top Group D and advance to the quarter-finals.
Mozambique had beaten Rwanda in their opening game and needed a famous win against Nigeria to clinch a spot in the last eight. They started like a house on fire, winning the first quarter 13-9 and taking the four-point lead into the break after an evenly contested second quarter.
The Southern African nation matched Nigeria’s intensity in the restart, racing to a 7-0 run out of the hurdle to extend their lead to 11 points. Rena Wakama had some words for the D’Tigress, and they came out of the resulting timeout, winning the round 18-15 to close the gap to one point heading into the fourth quarter.
Nigeria looked to have found some rhythm towards the end of the third, and they kickstarted the final quarter with a 6-0 run. The Mozambicans fought back as they did all game, but the D’Tigress held on to edge the quarter 18-12 and claim a hard-fought victory.
Veteran guard Ezinne Kalu led the D’Tigress with a game-high 16 points and four assists, while Promise Amukamara dropped 13 points and grabbed six rebounds. Murjanatu Musa showed her class on both ends of the floor, finishing with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, along with five rebounds and three blocks.
Mozambique had only one player in double figures, with Ingvild Mucauro tallying 16 points and eight rebounds, while Carla Covane poured in nine points.
The D’Tigress join Uganda in the quarter-finals after the East Africans stunned 11-time winners Senegal 73-70 in their Group B contest.
