Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, has kicked off their 2025 AfroBasket campaign with a hard-fought 77-59 win against Madagascar.
The team displayed grit and determination, overcoming a sluggish start to assert their dominance and secure a victory.
This win sets the tone for their quest to reclaim the continental crown, which they last lifted 10 years ago.
The D’Tigers’ victory was fueled by the exceptional performances of veteran players Caleb Agada, Stan Okoye, and Ike Nwamu.
Persecondnews reports that Agada led the charge with 22 points, while Okoye contributed 13 points, and Nwamu
12 points to the team’s tally.
Their leadership and experience played a crucial role in rallying the team in the last two quarters, where they outplayed Madagascar.
The team’s strong performance in the third quarter, where they outshot Madagascar 14-8, was particularly noteworthy.
Despite their not-too impressive record in the championship with 3 wins and 14 losses in 17 games, Madagascar showed remarkable resilience and fighting spirit.
Kiady Razanamahenina’s three free throws after Devine Eke’s personal foul cut the deficit for his team, demonstrating Madagascar’s determination to cause an upset.
The D’Tigers’ win over Madagascar marks a strong start to their AfroBasket campaign. With a 55-46 lead after the third quarter, Nigeria looks poised to make a deep run in the tournament.
The team’s next challenge will be against defending champions Tunisia and Cameroon, and their performance against Madagascar will serve as a valuable benchmark for their upcoming fixtures.
The 2025 FIBA AfroBasket features 16 teams, with the winners of each group advancing directly to the quarterfinals.
Teams that finish second and third will enter a qualification round for the remaining last-eight slots.
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