Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, delivered a statement performance at the 2025 FIBA Men’s AfroBasket tournament, defeating the defending champions, Tunisia, with a convincing 87-66 victory on Friday. The win, which took place at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda in Angola, marks Nigeria’s second consecutive triumph in Group B.
The D’Tigers came out strong, led by Houston Rockets player Josh Okogie, who was the game’s top scorer with 33 points. His exceptional start propelled Nigeria to an early 10-0 run, setting the tone for the entire game. By the end of the first quarter, D’Tigers had built a significant 29-16 lead, which they extended to 48-33 by halftime.
Despite efforts from Tunisia, who are still struggling to find their form after an earlier loss to Cameroon, Nigeria maintained their intensity. The D’Tigers’ relentless offensive and defensive pressure widened the gap to 68-47 in the third quarter, ultimately sealing a 21-point victory.
The defeat adds to Tunisia’s woes in the tournament, as they continue to miss the presence of veteran players Makram Romdhane and Radhouane Slimane. The team’s offensive efforts, largely dependent on Jawhar Jawadi, were not enough to stop Nigeria’s dominant run.
This victory keeps Nigeria’s hopes alive for their second-ever AfroBasket title, a decade after they won their first in 2015. Interestingly, the last time Tunisia lost to Nigeria in this tournament was during that same 2015 edition.
Nigeria will now face Cameroon in their final group game on Sunday. The match is expected to be a tough contest, as both teams are currently undefeated and vying to finish at the top of Group B.
