Nigeria men’s basketball, D’Tigers head coach, Mohammed Abdulrahman, has declared a positive forecast on the future of the national team following their quarterfinal defeat at the recently concluded 2025 FIBA Afrobasket Championship.
Nigeria D’Tigers got eliminated in the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket by Senegal on a 91-75 scoreline, ending their 3-0 unbeaten run and their sought to end their tittle drought of over a decade.
Coach Abdulrahman believes the lessons learned from the tournament will make them stronger and serve as a foundation for growth and success in future competitions.
Lessons Learned From Afrobasket Campaign
Speaking after D’Tigers’ elimination, Abdulrahman who led the team to the knockout stage, highlighted the limited preparation time the team had.
The coach, however, commended the progress made in establishing a distinct and recognizable playing style and culture.
“I was part of the 2015 team as an assistant coach and we lost a couple of games. We even lost, I think, 2013 with most of the guys in that group. So, you know, we learn.”
He added:
“They learn. They understand, you know, how to go out and get the result. By the time we get to that stage, you know, we are well prepared.”
“What we need to do, you know, going forward, you know, to build a culture that is going to help us play better.”
D’Tigers Identity and Areas of Improvement
The coach praised his squad for embracing a clearer team identity, stating that this will help Nigeria’s basketball program continue to develop.
Abdulrahman explained that building a winning culture will be key to Nigeria’s long-term success and pointed out that the team’s recent consistency is a sign of growth.
“You know, in the last six games that we play at this level, it’s the first time we’re losing. It’s actually the first time we’re playing 10-point or 11-point deficit that they have.”
“We know our identity now and we’re just going to move on from there.”
A Brighter Future Ahead for Nigeria’s D’Tigers
Despite the setback, Abdulrahman is confident D’Tigers are on the right path. The Afrobasket outing allowed him and his technical staff to assess players, fine-tune strategies, and strengthen the team’s competitive edge.
“By the time we get to that stage, you know, we are well prepared,” he reiterated, believing in the team’s ability to bounce back stronger in future tournaments.
