Peter Obi hails D’Tigress after Nigeria defeats Senegal to reach AfroBasket final

Obi hails D’Tigress after Nigeria defeats Senegal to reach AfroBasket final
2nd August 2025

D’Tigress in a game. Photo: X@DtigressNG

By
Makua Ubanagu
Kindly share this story:

Presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has commended Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, following their dramatic comeback victory over Senegal in the semi-finals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament.

Obi, in a statement issued on Saturday via X, celebrated the team’s fighting spirit and unbeaten run, describing their performance as a source of national pride.

“Congratulations, D’Tigress. You gave an incredible semi-final performance. I watched with all smiles and so much pride as you came from behind in the third quarter to show true dominance and secure your place in the finals,” Obi stated.

“You have made Nigeria proud yet again. Ten years unbeaten is nothing but dominance. As you prepare for the finals, we are all with you, cheering you to make history once again. Go finish what you started, Nigeria stands with you. Bring the trophy home,” he added.

D’Tigress overcame a tough Senegalese side to win 75–68 in a fiercely contested semi-final clash at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Nigeria edged the first quarter 22–17 and narrowly took the second 21–20. However, Senegal fought back strongly in the third quarter, outscoring D’Tigress 21–9 to take a six-point lead going into the final stretch.

With just seven minutes remaining, Senegal led 68–62, threatening to end Nigeria’s unbeaten streak. But the Nigerian side rallied with a dominant 23–10 run in the final quarter, sealing the victory and securing a spot in the final.

The win also extends Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the tournament to a decade, reinforcing their dominance in African women’s basketball.

Earlier in the tournament, D’Tigress cruised into the semi-finals with a commanding 83–47 win over Cameroon on Thursday.

By reaching the semi-finals, Nigeria, along with Mali, Senegal, and South Sudan, has also qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments, which will be held in March. They join 20 other national teams, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina, in the global qualifiers.

The post Peter Obi hails D’Tigress after Nigeria defeats Senegal to reach AfroBasket final appeared first on 36ng.