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Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, began their FIBA AfroBasket 2025 campaign with a convincing 77-59 victory over Madagascar on Wednesday in Luanda, Angola.
The game, played at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda, saw D’Tigers take control from the opening tip. They won the first quarter 18-4 and extended their lead to 38-27 by halftime. A dominant third quarter, which they took 20-9, widened the gap before they closed out the contest with a 22-13 final period.
Nigeria’s superior shooting proved decisive, as they converted 48 per cent of their field goal attempts compared to Madagascar’s 35 per cent. The D’Tigers also controlled the boards, grabbing 40 rebounds to their opponents’ 31.
Guard Caleb Agada led the scoring with 22 points, adding seven rebounds and two assists in just over 25 minutes on the court.
Veteran forward Stan Okoye, a member of Nigeria’s 2015 AfroBasket-winning team, contributed 13 points and five rebounds. Ike Nwamu and Talib Zanna also made key contributions at both ends of the floor.
For Madagascar, Raharimanana was the standout, scoring 20 points, but his efforts were not enough to trouble the Nigerians, whose depth and experience proved overwhelming.
The win gives Nigeria a strong start in Group B, where they are drawn alongside defending champions Tunisia and 2017 bronze medallists Cameroon. The D’Tigers will face Tunisia on Friday, August 15, before taking on Cameroon on Sunday, August 17.
Interim head coach, Mohammed Abdulrahman, who previously served as assistant coach, is tasked with guiding the team through the group stage.
Nigeria’s AfroBasket history includes one gold medal (2015), four silvers (1997, 1999, 2003, 2017), and three bronzes (1995, 2005, 2011).
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