Wakama names star-studded squad for 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket

D’Tigress head coach Rena Wakama has released the final 12-woman roster for Nigeria’s campaign at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The squad features a strong mix of experience and emerging talent, led by team captain Amy Okonkwo, who was in top form for French side Tango Bourges […]

D’Tigress head coach Rena Wakama has released the final 12-woman roster for Nigeria’s campaign at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The squad features a strong mix of experience and emerging talent, led by team captain Amy Okonkwo, who was in top form for French side Tango Bourges Basket in the 2024–2025 FIBA EuroLeague Women. Okonkwo averaged 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 16.8 efficiency per game in Europe’s elite competition. She also played a key role during Nigeria’s 2024 Olympic campaign in Paris, where she averaged 11 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.

Veteran guard Ezinne Kalu returns to the squad after a stellar season in China with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the WCBA. Kalu put up 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. In 2024, she also made history by becoming the first HBCU alumna in over 15 years to play in the WNBA, suiting up for the Atlanta Dream.

Also returning are reliable veterans Promise Amukamara and Sarah Ogoke, both of whom bring leadership and consistency to the backcourt. The roster is further bolstered by a powerful frontcourt that includes Murjanatu Musa, a key defensive anchor; Victoria Macaulay, Blessing Ejiofor, and Vera Ojenuwa.

Elizabeth Balogun, Ifunaya Okoro, and Palla Kunayi also make the final cut, along with Nicole Enabosi, who had a breakout season in France’s La Boulangère Wonderligue, averaging 14 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

Nigeria enters the tournament as four-time defending champions and are chasing a historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket title. Their dominance has included three consecutive finals victories over fierce rivals Senegal, solidifying D’Tigress’ status as the top women’s basketball team in Africa.

Drawn in Group D, Nigeria will face Mozambique and Rwanda in the group phase as the team looks to extend its continental reign when the tournament tips off from July 26 to August 3.

In a strong show of support, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has introduced enhanced welfare packages for D’Tigress ahead of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket. These include increased bonuses and allowances to boost morale and performance.

Nigeria has won the Women’s Afrobasket Championship four times in a row, and six times in total. They won in 2017 at Bamako, Mali, 2019 at Dakar, Senegal, 2021 at Yaounde, Cameroon, and 2023 at Kigali, Rwanda.

D’Tigress became the first African basketball team, male or female, to qualify for the quarterfinals of the basketball competition at the 2024 Olympics.