Nigeria, Aug. 10 -- Exactly one week ago on Sunday, 3 August, Nigeria's D'Tigress stood on the brink of history, aiming for what no other basketball team-male or female-on the African continent had ever achieved: a fifth consecutive continental crown.

After shaking off a slow start against a determined Mali side, the Nigerians clicked into gear and stormed to a 78-64 victory in the final at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Abidjan, to claim their seventh AfroBasket title overall.

The triumph also marked their 29th straight win in the AfroBasket competition, a streak dating back to 2015, underscoring their unmatched dominance in African women's basketball.

While the team has since been celebrated with national honours, cash rewards...