Nigeria’s D’Tigers stormed into the AfroBasket 2025 quarterfinals after defeating Cameroon 99-90 in their final Group B game, finishing with a perfect 3-0 record at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Kilamba stadium, Angola.
The result not only preserved Nigeria’s unbeaten run in Luanda but also guaranteed them an automatic place in the last eight of the tournament.
D’Tigers Balanced Scoring and Three-Point Masterclass
Nigeria had six players scoring in double figures, with Josh Okogie leading with 16 points.
Caleb Agada followed closely with 15, while Stan Okoye contributed 14 off the bench, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc.
Christian Mekowulu and Ike Nwamu added 12 each, and Martins Igbanu chipped in 10.
Cameroon’s attack was led by Fabien Ateba (19 points) and Yves Missi (18), while Jeremiah Hill impressed with 16 before limping off with a knee injury.
Nigeria’s long-range shooting was decisive, with the team draining 15 three-pointers, the most by any side in the tournament so far.
Turning Point: A Second-Quarter Surge for D’Tigers
Both teams exchanged baskets in a frantic opening quarter, with Nigeria narrowly ahead 28-25. Cameroon’s Hill registered seven points early, but Nigeria’s Mekowulu hit two threes to keep his side on top.
The game tilted in the second quarter, as D’Tigers outscored Cameroon 30-16, heading into halftime with a commanding 60-43 lead. Agada was on fire with 10 points in that period, while Mekowulu hit another three, finishing 4/5 from deep.
By the third quarter, Nigeria had blown the game wide open, stretching the lead to 31 points (81-50), forcing Cameroon into desperate catch-up mode.
Cameroon’s Late Rally Falls Short
Despite trailing by as many as 34 points, Cameroon mounted a spirited fourth-quarter comeback. Ateba and Missi spearheaded a fightback that cut the gap to single digits, but Nigeria held firm to close out a nine-point win.
The Indomitable Lions, who also finished the group stage strongly with a 2-1 record, will now head into the qualification playoffs for a place in the quarterfinals.
Hero: Stan Okoye’s Perfect Night
Coming off the bench, Stan Okoye delivered a near-flawless performance. He scored 14 points, going 4-for-4 from three-point range, and grabbed seven rebounds.
His clutch shooting helped Nigeria punish Cameroon’s defense whenever they threatened a comeback.
Josh Okogie also played a vital role, finishing as Nigeria’s top scorer with 16 points in an efficient all-round display.
What The Players Said Post-Match
Nigeria’s players admitted they were disappointed with how they allowed Cameroon to close the gap late in the game. Stan Okoye praised the team’s shooting but highlighted areas for improvement;
“We were a little disappointed because we were a little flat in the end. We have learn to close out games and let teams come back like that.”
“It was really great to knock down shots, but we could have done better on defence and taken better care with the turnovers.”
Stats Don’t Lie
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Nigeria’s 15 three-pointers were the most by any team in AfroBasket 2025 so far.
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D’Tigers had six players in double figures, showing their scoring depth.
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Cameroon’s late push wasn’t enough after being outscored by 14 in the second quarter.
Bottom Line
Nigeria’s defense and perimeter shooting proved the difference as they extended their dominance over Cameroon at AfroBasket.
This was the fourth AfroBasket meeting between the two nations, with Nigeria once again emerging victorious, having also eliminated Cameroon in the 2017 quarterfinals.
The D’Tigers now march confidently into the quarterfinals with momentum firmly on their side, while Cameroon must regroup in the playoff round.
