Defending champions, Nigeria sent a strong message to their rivals with a commanding 92-45 blowout victory over Rwanda in their opening game of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The West African powerhouse wasted no time asserting their dominance, overwhelming the Rwandans with pace, pressure, and pinpoint shooting from the first whistle. Their defensive organization and fast transitions proved too much for Rwanda, who struggled to cope with the intensity and depth of the Nigerian roster.
Elizabeth Balogun led the scoring charge for D’Tigress, racking up 18 points in a confident display, while veteran center Victoria Macaulay made her presence felt in her return to the national team with 13 points. The team’s unselfish ball movement and aggressive defense saw at least five players reach double figures, reflecting the well rounded nature of Coach Rena Wakama’s squad. The defending champions were relentless on both ends of the court, showing the same hunger and energy that saw them lift the trophy in 2023.
With this emphatic win, Nigeria firmly positions itself as the team to beat in this year’s tournament. Their blend of youth, experience, and championship mentality was on full display, and fans across the continent will be watching closely as they continue their campaign. Up next, D’Tigress will look to build on this performance and secure an early qualification to the knockout rounds, all while keeping their eyes fixed on a record extending AfroBasket crown.