The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, H. E. Comrade Philip Shaibu has congratulated the Nigeria D’Tigress for their superlative performance and victory over Mali.

He said in his congratulating message that was personally signed by him and made available to journalists in Abuja that the Nigeria’s D’Tigress once again proved their dominance on the continent, defeating Mali to retain their crown in the final of the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket Championship held in Ivory Coast.

The NIS Boss who is the immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo state said the encounter started with the Nigerian ladies setting the tempo, but Mali fought back to edge the first quarter 26–21. D’Tigress responded strongly in the second quarter, leveling the score at 41–41 by halftime.

The defending champions came alive in the third quarter, taking control of the game before sealing an impressive 78–64 victory after a fiercely contested final quarter.

With this win, D’Tigress successfully defended their title, making it five consecutive AfroBasket triumphs — a historic feat in African women’s basketball.

The excited NIS DG, appluaded the technical crew, the Musa kida led Basketball federation and the National Sports Commission for their moral and financial support to the team .