D’Tigers Crash Out of 2025 AfroBasket After Quarter-Final Defeat to Senegal

Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have been eliminated from the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket championship following a 91–75 quarter-final loss to Senegal on Wednesday at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda in Angola.

This was the ninth encounter between both teams, with Nigeria having won five of the previous eight. D’Tigers had enjoyed an impressive group stage campaign, topping Group B after wins over Madagascar, Tunisia, and Cameroon. In contrast, Senegal advanced to the last eight via a playoff victory against South Sudan.

Despite starting strong and narrowly winning the first quarter 24–23, Coach Mohammed Abdulrahman’s men struggled to maintain momentum. Senegal, led by the dynamic Jean-Jacques Boissy, took control in the second quarter with a 30–18 run, establishing an 11-point lead at halftime.

The third quarter saw Senegal further assert their dominance, outscoring Nigeria 23–13. Although D’Tigers mounted a spirited comeback in the final quarter, edging Senegal 20–15, it was not enough to overturn the deficit.

Statistically, Nigeria attempted 73 field goals with a 35.6% shooting accuracy, while also recording 35 rebounds, 14 assists, 8 steals, and 3 blocks. Senegal, in comparison, had 70 field goal attempts with a 47.1% success rate, dominated the boards with 53 rebounds, and added 14 assists, 5 steals, and 16 turnovers.

Ike Nwamu led Nigeria’s scoring with 15 points, supported by Stan Okoye (14), Caleb Agada (12), and Martins Igbanu (12). For Senegal, Brancou Badio delivered a standout performance with 32 points, while Boissy and Moustapha Pape-Diop contributed 19 and 14 points respectively.

With this defeat, Nigeria bows out of the quadrennial tournament at the quarter-final stage. The team will now shift focus to the FIBA Men’s World Cup Qualifiers, set to begin in November, as they aim to secure a spot at the 2027 World Cup in Qatar, following their absence from the 2023 edition.