FirstBank Basketball Club of Nigeria, popularly known as the Elephant Girls, have been crowned champions of FIBA Africa Zone 3 after an unbeaten run at the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Qualifiers in Abidjan.
Their flawless performance secures Nigeria’s sole slot in the final round of the continental tournament scheduled to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from December 5–14, 2025.
The Elephant Girls dominated the Zone 3 Qualifiers, winning all three of their games against strong competition from Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin Republic, Ghana and Togo.
Their campaign featured two standout victories over Ivorian sides: a decisive 66–55 victory over home favourites CSA, and a dramatic 63–59 comeback win against FBA, overturning a 20-point deficit in the second quarter.
The impressive display marks a celebratory return to continental basketball for the team, which is making its first WBLA appearance in six years.
As the only English-speaking side to progress from Zone 3, the Elephant Girls’ triumph underscores FirstBank’s continued investment in the development of women’s basketball in Nigeria and across Africa.
Reacting to the milestone, FirstBank’s Group Head, Human Capital Management and Development and Chairman of the Sports Council, Olumuyiwa Olulaja, said the qualification is a testament to the team’s exceptional drive and discipline.
“We are incredibly proud of the Elephant Girls for their outstanding performance,” Olulaja said. “They have once again shown the world the strength, resilience and excellence that define FirstBank. ”
“Our commitment to supporting sports in Nigeria and Africa remains strong, and this victory is a major step in our mission to promote excellence on the continental and global stage.”
The Elephant Girls earned the right to represent Nigeria in Abidjan after finishing as Silver Medalists at the Zenith Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Women’s Premier League.
With their place in Cairo confirmed, the team will now prepare to compete against Africa’s finest clubs in the WBLA final round, carrying Nigeria’s hopes and aiming to write a new chapter in their decade-long history of domestic and continental success.
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