Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, delivered a commanding performance on Friday, defeating Tunisia 87-66 in their second game of the 2025 Afrobasket tournament.
The game, held at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda in Angola’s capital, saw Nigeria establish control from the opening minutes and never look back.
The team started strongly, racing to a 10-0 lead, with Houston Rockets guard Josh Okogie leading the charge and dictating the pace of the match. By the close of the first quarter, Nigeria had already built a solid 29-16 advantage. At halftime, D’Tigers extended their lead further, heading into the break with 48 points to Tunisia’s 33.
The dominance continued into the third quarter as Nigeria pulled ahead 68-47, and by the final buzzer, the former Afrobasket champions had completed an emphatic 87-66 win over the Eagles of Carthage.
Josh Okogie stood out as the star of the night, making history by scoring 33 points—the highest tally for a Nigerian player since 2021. His explosive performance was key in dismantling Tunisia’s defense and securing the victory.
Alongside Okogie, Nigeria’s roster featured Ike Nwamu, Caleb Agada, Talib Zanna, and Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, who all contributed to the well-rounded team display.
The win comes just days after their 77-59 triumph over Madagascar, ensuring that D’Tigers sit at the top of Group B. Their next challenge will be against Cameroon on Sunday, a crucial matchup that will decide the team’s seeding for the knockout stages.
Nigeria’s only Afrobasket title came in 2015, though they have finished as runners-up on three separate occasions. With this strong start, the team is aiming to end their decade-long wait for another championship.
Their quest is also fueled by the recent success of Nigeria’s women’s team, D’Tigress, who secured a record fifth consecutive Women’s Afrobasket crown just weeks ago.
What you should know
D’Tigers are Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, and they won their first and only Afrobasket title in 2015. T
heir star player Josh Okogie, who currently plays for the Houston Rockets in the NBA, led the team with a historic 33 points against Tunisia, boosting their chances of reclaiming continental glory.
