D’Tigress Soar To Eighth In FIBA Women’s World Rankings.
Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have achieved a historic milestone, climbing to eighth place in the latest FIBA Women’s World Rankings, as announced on 14 August. This remarkable rise from their previous 11th position marks their highest-ever ranking and solidifies their status as the only African team to break into the global top 10.
The team’s ascent follows a stellar performance at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan, where they clinched their fifth consecutive title and seventh overall with a commanding 78-64 victory over Mali in the final. This triumph not only extended their unbeaten streak in the competition to 29 games since 2015 but also secured their qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin.
Led by coach Rena Wakama, D’Tigress showcased their dominance through a blend of seasoned players like Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara, alongside rising stars such as Elizabeth Balogun and Murjanatu Musa. Amy Okonkwo, the tournament’s standout scorer with an average of 14.9 points per game, played a pivotal role in their success. Their historic run at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where they became the first African team to reach the quarter-finals, further bolstered their global standing, with victories over powerhouses like Australia and Canada.
With 640.1 ranking points, D’Tigress have surpassed basketball giants Brazil and Serbia, joining the elite ranks alongside the United States, Australia, France, China, and Belgium, who hold the top five spots. Mali, the AfroBasket runners-up, climbed six places to 18th, while Senegal, Mozambique, Cameroon, and Egypt rank 25th, 32nd, 35th, and 43rd, respectively. South Sudan’s debut at AfroBasket, earning them a bronze medal, saw them rocket 31 places to 55th in the world.
The achievement has sparked widespread celebration, with fans and commentators on social media platforms praising the team’s resilience and skill. “The D’Tigresses sit pretty at #8 in the latest FIBA rankings. Nigeria, this is for us,” the team’s official X account declared, reflecting national pride in their success.
As D’Tigress prepare for the World Cup qualifiers, their meteoric rise signals their ambition to not only dominate African basketball but also challenge the world’s best. This milestone underscores the growing influence of African women’s basketball on the global stage, with Nigeria leading the charge.