Cheikh Sarr’s Rwanda had a slow start to the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2025, with a 92-45 defeat at the hands of holders Nigeria in the pair’s Group D opening match in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, on Saturday, July 26. This was the D’Tigress’ 25th win in a row at the tournament, dating back to October 2015. Elizabeth Balogun scored the first basket with a mid-range shot, but Rwanda didn't seem impressed. Although, at this point of the game, Rwanda looked ready to fight back, Nigeria remained a superior force on the court. they played a more disciplined game and won by 47 points. Bella Murekatete gave Rwanda a short-lived 4-2 lead before Ezinne Kalu hit a midrange jump shot that tied the game at 4-4. The current champions used an 8-0 scoring, and the East African team never again posed a threat for the rest of the game. Mureketete made some impressive plays, including an amazing block on former MVP Ezzine Kanu in the third quarter. She also finished with seven points. But the trio of Elisabeth Balogun, Murjanatu Musa and Victoria Macaulay proved crucial, contributing a combined 43 points. Nigeria's bench proved crucial, outscoring Rwanda's 37-13, but what hurt Rwanda the most were some of their continuing turnovers, which resulted in 25 points for Nigeria. Destiney Philoxy and Keisha Hampton were the only Rwandans to score in double digits, finishing 11 and 10 points, respectively. The last time Nigeria and Rwanda played against each other in the semifinals of the 2023 Women's AfroBasket in Kigali, Nigeria beat Rwanda, the host country, 79–48. Nigeria then won their fourth continental title in a row by beating Senegal in the final. The Rwandans were doing well as they returned to the international stage after an impressive 2026 Women's Basketball World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament on their home court, but Nigeria reminded everyone yet again who is the best in the continent.
