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•Debutants South Sudan faces Mali
By Joe Apu
With qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments already secured, focus now shifts to the ultimate prize at the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket as the final four nations—Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, and South Sudan—prepare to battle for a place in the championship game on Saturday, August 2.
One of African women’s basketball’s fiercest rivalries will be reignited as reigning champions Nigeria face 11-time winners and 2023 silver medalists Senegal in what is being dubbed the “final before the final.”
The two powerhouses have clashed 14 times in AfroBasket history, with Nigeria holding a 9–5 advantage. Senegal’s last victory came in the 2011 semifinal in Bamako, where they thrashed Nigeria 89–63. However, since that tournament, Nigeria’s D’Tigresses have enjoyed dominance over the West African giants.
Their most recent meeting was at the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgium, where Nigeria edged Senegal 72–65. The two sides also met in the 2023 final, with Nigeria clinching an 84–74 win to secure their fourth consecutive title.
Led by coach Rena Wakama, Nigeria are now chasing a historic fifth straight championship—something no team has achieved. Meanwhile, Senegal, whose last title came in 2015, are seeking a record-extending 12th continental crown and a return to glory after a decade-long drought.
Nigeria enters the semifinals in imperious form, having topped their group unbeaten and dispatched Cameroon 83–47 in the quarterfinal. Senegal, on the other hand, finished second in Group C and needed to go through the playoffs to reach the quarters. They survived a scare against hosts Côte d’Ivoire, narrowly winning 66–60 to keep their title hopes alive.
Statistically, Nigeria hold the edge in scoring (78.3 points per game to Senegal’s 77), shooting efficiency (44.7% FG vs. 39%), and three-point accuracy (26% vs. 20.7%). Senegal, however, lead in rebounds (48.3 to Nigeria’s 44.3), while both teams are closely matched in assists.
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With a place in the final on the line, it promises to be another classic chapter in the storied Nigeria-Senegal rivalry especially with Nigeria’s former coaches Otis Hugley Jr and his assistant Peter Ahmedu on the Senegalese bench.
In the second semifinal, bronze medalists from 2023 Mali face off against tournament debutants South Sudan in what could be another tightly contested matchup.
The two teams met earlier in the group stage, with Mali narrowly escaping with a 55–53 win. Since then, South Sudan’s Bright Starlets have grown in confidence and stature, upsetting Egypt and Uganda to reach the semifinals in their very first AfroBasket appearance.
Their historic run has already made headlines, but they now face their toughest challenge yet: a Mali team that has hit peak form since their narrow opening win over South Sudan. The West Africans stormed past Cameroon 75–49 and Mozambique 86–68 in the knockout rounds and appear poised for their first final since 2021.
Mali bring the edge in scoring (72 points per game vs. South Sudan’s 65), assists (21.7 vs. 12), and field-goal percentage (41.3% vs. 38.3%). However, South Sudan dominated the boards, leading all teams with 51 rebounds per game compared to Mali’s 46.7.
WNBA forward Sika Koné will be central to Mali’s campaign, averaging a 17 efficiency rating. South Sudan’s charge will be led by Maria Teresa Gakdeng, who boasts an efficiency of 18.8.
As Mali eye their first championship game in four years, South Sudan will be looking to extend their fairytale run and make history as the first debutant finalist since Nigeria in 1997.
With everything on the line, today’s semifinals in Abidjan promises drama, passion, and a showcase of the very best in African women’s basketball.
