Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, began their quest for a second continental crown with a convincing 77–59 victory over Madagascar in their opening Group B game of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket on Wednesday afternoon, 13th of August in Angola.
A decade after clinching their maiden AfroBasket title, Nigeria made a winning start to their latest campaign, shaking off early jitters to dominate in the second half.
Slow Start, Strong Finish from D’Tigers
Nigeria named Caleb Agada, Ike Nwamu, Josh Okogie, Talib Zanna and Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu in their starting lineup, but the first quarter was a cagey affair.
D’Tigers edged ahead 18–14 after the opening 10 minutes but failed to fully impose themselves, going into halftime with a slender 38–37 advantage.
Agada led the scoring at the break with 13 points, keeping Nigeria’s nose in front against a determined Madagascar side.
D’Tigers Third-quarter surge
The game turned in the third quarter as D’Tigers found their rhythm, outshooting Madagascar 14–8 in the period’s early stages.
Agada stayed hot, pushing his tally to 15 points, while Nigeria’s defense tightened.
A personal foul by Devine Eke briefly gave Madagascar hope, with Kiady Razanamahenina draining three free throws to cut the deficit, however, Nigeria responded swiftly, restoring a seven-point cushion before closing the quarter 55–46 ahead.
Team Leaders step up
With the job still to be finished, Nigeria’s experienced core took control in the final frame. Agada capped his standout performance with a game-high 22 points, while Stan Okoye (13 points) and Ike Nwamu (12 points) provided crucial scoring bursts.
The D’Tigers closed out the contest with authority, winning the last quarter 22–13 to seal an 18-point victory. The result leaves Nigeria 1–0 in Group B, where they will also face Tunisia next and Cameroon later in their last group fixture.
Final score: Madagascar 59 – 77 Nigeria
D’Tigers ‘Following in the Footsteps of D’Tigress’ Ahead of AfroBasket 2025 Opener
As Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers tip off their 2025 FIBA AfroBasket campaignwith a big win against Madagascar guard Josh Okogie says the team are drawing direct inspiration from the recent triumph of their female counterparts, D’Tigress.
Okogie, who plays for the NBA’s Houston Rockets, says the entire squad has been motivated by the women’s dominance and hopes to replicate their success on the men’s side.
“Can’t wait to get this first official practice in with the fellas and, you know, gearing up towards our first game.”
“D’Tigress, I mean, they set the standard for Nigerian basketball, man. We just try to follow what they do.”
“We Are Trying to do Half of What they do…” – D’Tigers Josh on Emulating D’Tigress Team
Okogie reiterated that the women’s achievements have set the benchmark for Nigerian basketball.
“I definitely think D’Tigress, I mean, they set the standard for Nigerian basketball, man. We just try to follow what they do.”
“You know, their longevity, how well they show up every year, every qualifier, every window.
You know, World Cup, Olympics, man, how they show up and make everybody proud.”“We’re just trying to do half of what they do, man. So it’s a huge shout-out to them.
I’m proud of them.”“I know our team is proud of them. Most importantly, man, they made their country proud, and we’re behind them all the way.”
“And, you know, we’re just trying to replicate what they’re doing.”
Final D’Tigers Roster for AfroBasket 2025
Coaching staff
- Mohammed Abdulrahman (Head Coach)
- Deji Akindele
- Ikenna Smart
Nigeria will compete in Group B alongside Tunisia, Madagascar, and Cameroon. They face Madagascar today before clashing with Tunisia and Cameroon in their remaining group games.
A comeback for the ages
Nigeria staged an incredible fightback to qualify for AfroBasket for the ninth time in the last 20 years, a feat no one predicted for the male basketball national team.
After going into the last three qualifying games with a 0–3 record, belief and resilience powered the D’Tigers to three straight wins against Cape Verde, Libya, and Uganda.
Caleb Agada, who was one of ten new players brought into the squad for the second round in Tripoli, proved decisive.
The 1.96m guard averaged 19 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 6 assists in the qualifying sweep, which included victories over hosts Libya (75–70), Uganda (87–67), and Cape Verde (77–62).
Speaking to FIBA.basketball, Agada explained:
“Our qualifying games in Monastir were difficult and when we got to Libya we were focused on making up for it by getting a qualification ticket, and that meant we just had to give our best when we head to Angola later in the year.”
He added:
“The win against Uganda meant a lot to us because that is what we came here to do, to get that qualification ticket to go to Angola.”
“We needed to be focused, come together, play to our strengths and try to play well at all times.”
‘It’s about the team’ — Agada
Agada admits the squad is still gelling but says he feels a deep responsibility when representing Nigeria.
“We are getting to know each other and for me in particular, I have been with the national team for about six years and I am very grateful because I know I have experienced a lot.”
“I know what it means to the country, what it means to the fans and what it means to represent my country. So every time I step on the court, I want to give my best for the fans, for the veterans who are no longer playing and to make Nigeria proud.”
Focus shifts to Angola
Nigeria’s unbroken run in the second round has renewed optimism for a second AfroBasket title; their first since 2015, but with Tunisia and Cameroon lurking in Group B, Okogie and Agada agree the job is far from done.
The mission starts today against Madagascar, with D’Tigress’ gold-medal winning example lighting the way.
