A familiar rivalry will be reignited on Thursday evening under the lights at the Palais de Sports Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire as defending champions Nigeria’s D’Tigress take on the Lionesses of Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women’s Afrobasket.
The D’Tigress awaited the outcome of Wednesday night’s match to discover their opponent in the last eight, after the Cameroonians convincingly defeated Angola 85–64, further confirming the struggles of Angolan women’s basketball.
The Nigerian team heads into Thursday’s game well-rested and revitalised, having had two days without a match, and enjoying the advantage of finishing top of their group.
Coach Rene Wakama’s squad has been bolstered by the return of experienced shooting guard Sarah Ogoke, who missed the team’s previous two games in the tournament.
The veteran player will be keen to utilise her wealth of experience, having been a key member of the last four Afrobasket title-winning teams.
Coach Wakama has urged her team to elevate their performance, expressing confidence that they were beginning to find their rhythm again.
“This is the business end of the tournament, and as a team, we understand what is at stake. We are committed to our set goals with every game,” Wakama stated.
“Afrobasket is becoming increasingly competitive, which reflects the improving standards of women’s basketball across the continent, and today’s match against Cameroon will be no different.”
Thursday promises to be action-packed at the Palais de Sports Treichville, as all four quarter-final matches will be contested.
Uganda will face surprising debutants South Sudan, who eliminated Egypt in the playoff round, in the first game. This will be followed by Mali taking on Mozambique, and hosts Ivory Coast squaring off against Senegal in another compelling clash.
Finally, Nigeria will meet Cameroon in the last game, scheduled for 10 pm Nigerian time.
