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Tag: AfroBasket

  • D’Tigers crush Tunisia 87-66 to boost Afrobasket hopes

    D’Tigers crush Tunisia 87-66 to boost Afrobasket hopes

    Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, on Friday defeated Tunisia 87-66 to record their second win at the ongoing 2025 FIBA Afrobasket in Angola.

    D’Tigers dominated throughout the match and were clearly the better side on the court.

    Defending champions Tunisia, who lost their first game to Cameroon, hoped to recover but failed against a more coordinated Nigerian team.

    Nigeria took the first quarter 29-16 and maintained their lead in the second, winning 19-17 despite Tunisia’s attempted comeback.

    The third and fourth quarters were explosive, with Nigeria holding firm and never allowing their advantage to slip.

    D’Tigers played with high intensity, using sound tactics, solid teamwork and smart ball movement, fully aware of Tunisia’s capabilities.

    Tunisia could not match Nigeria’s energy, with their attacks repeatedly thwarted by a strong D’Tigers defence.

    Nigeria took the final quarters 20-14 and 19-19, boosting their chances of reaching the quarter-finals ahead of their last group game against Cameroon.

    Josh Okogie led D’Tigers with 33 points, six defensive rebounds and a 32 efficiency rating.

    Okogie was the spearhead of Nigeria’s offence, setting the tone for the team’s emphatic victory.

    His leadership will be vital as Nigeria aim for a deeper tournament run, with his current consistency proving crucial.

    Tunisia’s Omar Abada and Yacine Toumi scored 13 points each, but their efforts could not prevent a second group defeat.

    Elsewhere, hosts Angola defeated Guinea 84-68, Egypt overpowered favourites Senegal 91-77, and South Sudan demolished Libya 115-52.

  • D’Tigers hammer defending champions, Tunisia 87-66 to record 2nd Afrobasket win

    D’Tigers hammer defending champions, Tunisia 87-66 to record 2nd Afrobasket win

    Nigeria’s D’Tigers recorded a decisive win over Tunisia in the 2025 men’s Afrobasket, beating the North Africans 87-66 in a one-sided encounter on Friday.

    D’Tigers began the game on the front foot and raced to a 10-0 lead with Houston Rockets star Josh Okogie dictating the pace in the one-sided match at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda in the Angolan capital.

    At the end of the 1st quarter, the D’Tiger had 29 points against their opponents’ 16. When the first half ended, Nigeria outscored the Tunisians, having 48 points while the latter were on 33.

    It stretched to 68- 47 in Nigeria’s favour after the third quarter. By the time the fourth quarter was over, the 2015 Afrobasket champions had done the job, defeating the Eagles of Carthage 87-66.

    Okogie made history in the match, scoring the highest point total for a Nigerian since 2021 —33.

    Nigeria fielded a strong lineup, which included Ike Nwamu, Caleb Agada, Ike Nwamu, Talib Zanna, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, and Okogie against Tunisia.

    The victory came on the back of an impressive 77-59 victory over Madagascar earlier in the week and puts them on top of the Group B lot.

    D’Tigers’ only FIBA Afrobasket title was ten years ago. But they have ended as runners-up on three occasions.

    They will be inspired by the D’Tigress, who, a few weeks back, clinched a historic fifth Women’s Afrobasket crown on the bounce.

  • D’Tigers set sights on AfroBasket glory

    D’Tigers set sights on AfroBasket glory

    D’Tigers have unveiled their final line-up for the Men’s AfroBasket Championship, set for Angola from August 12 to August 24.

    Nigeria’s men are chasing a second continental crown, a decade after lifting their maiden title in 2015.

    Drawn in Group B with Tunisia, Madagascar and Cameroon, D’Tigers tip off against Madagascar on Aug. 13.

    After intense preparations, Coach Mohammed Abdulrahman axed Fola Fayemi, Kareem Joseph and Mohamed AbdulSalam from the training camp.

    Big man Peter Olisemeka also misses out after being declared ineligible.

    Star guard Josh Okogie headlines the roster, joined by returning stalwarts Talib Zanna, Ike Nwamu, Stan Okoye and Caleb Agada.

    Rising talents Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, Mike Nuga, Devine Eke, Christian Mekowulu, Martins Igbanu, Ugo Andrew Simon and Emmanuel Omogbo earn their call-ups.

    This year’s AfroBasket marks the 31st edition since 1962. Angola top the all-time charts with 11 titles.

    Tunisia are the reigning champions, having claimed glory in the last tournament. Sixteen nations will battle for the coveted trophy.

    D’Tigers aim to follow the path of D’Tigress, who reign as Africa’s women’s basketball champions.

  • Afrobasket: Tinubu hails D’Tigress on historic title triumph

    Afrobasket: Tinubu hails D’Tigress on historic title triumph

    President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, for lifting their seventh African championship title at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket.

    ‎D’Tigress, led by Coach Rena Wakama, defeated Mali 78–64 in a gripping final on Sunday night at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

    ‎President Tinubu, in a message issued by his Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said the win had brought pride and global recognition to Nigeria.

    ‎He lauded their skill, resilience, and teamwork, which powered them to a fifth consecutive AfroBasket title, an African record and their seventh championship overall.

    ‎Despite trailing in the first quarter, the president commended their determination and fighting spirit throughout the match.

    ‎”Your superb performance throughout the competition has made Nigeria proud.”

    ‎”Like the Super Falcons, you have inspired our young ladies. You embodied the indomitable Nigerian spirit, the power of unity, and the rewards of hard work.”

    ‎”By winning the AfroBasket trophy for a record fifth consecutive time, you have written your names in history and shown the world what to expect out of Africa.”

    ‎Tinubu also praised Head Coach, Rena Wakama and her technical crew for their outstanding leadership and strategic execution.

    ‎He commended the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) for its consistent support and dedication to growing the sport.

    ‎”The Federal Government and Nigerians will never forget the sacrifices and remain grateful for the highly elevating performances.

    ‎”The government and the people of Nigeria celebrate you and assure you of our continued support as you prepare for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments next March.”

    ‎The president expressed his eagerness to welcome the champions back to Abuja.

    ‎‎”I look forward to receiving the victorious team and the trophy in Abuja, while wishing you all a safe trip.”

  • D’Tigress wins fifth AfroBasket title in a row

    D’Tigress wins fifth AfroBasket title in a row

    Nigeria women’s basketball team, D’Tigress overcame a resilient Mali in the final game of the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan  to become the first team to win the tournament five times in a row.

    With this win, Nigeria extended their winning streak to 29-0, dating back to the third-place game of the 2015 tournament in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

    As was the case for most of their initial games in the tournament, Nigeria got off to a slow start.

    However, feeling threatened by Mali’s intensity, Rena Wakama’s team regrouped in the second quarter and headed to the locker room tied at 41–41.

    With the score tied,  Wakama’s ladies came out in the third quarter with renewed focus and energy taking a 61-56 lead in the quarter, capitalising on Mali’s turnovers.

    In spite of Mali’s valiant effort in the final quarter to mount a comeback, Nigeria maintained their composure and held on to their lead.

    They continued to play with the confidence, answering every Malian basket with one of their own. The final buzzer sounded with Nigeria winning 78-64.

    Nigeria is now the only nation to win more consecutive Women’s AfroBasket titles than any other nation.

    Debutant South Sudan beat Senegal 66-65 in the third place encounter. medal match, debutant South Sudan defeated Senegal

  • Afrobasket: D’Tigress edge Senegal 75-68 to reach final

    Afrobasket: D’Tigress edge Senegal 75-68 to reach final

    Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, on Saturday advanced to the final after defeating Senegal 75–68 in a heated Afrobasket 2025 semi-final in Côte d’Ivoire.

    NAN reports it was a keenly contested encounter, with 11-time champions Senegal chasing a record-extending 12th continental title.

    Nigeria, already on a four-title winning streak, were equally determined to maintain their dominance and extend their impressive championship run.

    It was a clash of the titans as D’Tigress narrowly won the first quarter, 22–17, in a fast-paced and closely fought contest.

    Nigeria maintained momentum, edging the second quarter 21–20, in spite of Senegal’s resilient and aggressive display.

    D’Tigress lost steam in the third quarter, allowing Senegal to dominate with a huge 21–9 turnaround that shifted the game’s momentum.

    Senegal surged ahead, leading 68–62 with just seven minutes left, turning the match into a fierce battle for a final ticket.

    However, Nigeria’s fighting spirit prevailed as they rallied strongly, producing a stunning 23–10 finish in the final quarter to win 75–68.

    D’Tigress have now reached the final and await the winner between tournament debutants South Sudan and former champions Mali.

  • FG hails D’Tigress for 4th straight Afrobasket title

    FG hails D’Tigress for 4th straight Afrobasket title

    The Federal Government has applauded the D’Tigress of Nigeria for emerging African Champions for the fourth consecutive time at the 2023 AfroBasket championship in Kigali, Rwanda.

    Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, stated this in a congratulatory message to the team on Sunday in Abuja.

    The defending champions D’Tigress on Saturday, defeated their Senegalese counterparts 84 – 74 in the final of the championship to win their fourth straight title.

    Abubakar said Saturday’s victory by the Nigerian team was historic, especially as the team had waited for 12 solid years with no title before their 2017 triumph.

    He said President Bola Tinubu and all Nigerians were indeed proud of the feat by the team.

    “The D’Tigress ended the drought as they were crowned champions in 2017.

    “The team then followed up with victories in 2019, 2021 and now 2023 in amazing fashion.

    “The Rena Wakama-led team has indeed made us proud, let me emphatically inform you that President Bola Tinubu is proud of you and is congratulating you.

    Nigerians are proud of you. You have indeed made us proud,” he said.

    The permanent secretary said the D’Tigress becomes only the second team ever, after Senegal to win four consecutive titles at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Competition.

    Abubakar commended the technical crew and all officials with the team, while assuring of the ministry’s plan to ensure a rousing welcome for them.

    He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to the full implementation of all sporting policies and projects for the empowerment of Nigerian youths, in line with the policy thrust of the present administration.

  • Afrobasket: Nigeria’s D’Tigress win historic fourth African title in a row

    Afrobasket: Nigeria’s D’Tigress win historic fourth African title in a row

    Nigeria’s female basketball team, D’Tigress on Saturday in Rwanda defeated Senegal to win the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship for the fourth time in a row.

    D’Tigress beat the 11-time African champions 84-74 at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda on Saturday to lay their hands on the 6th title.

    The win against Senegal means that the D’Tigress will now compete for a spot at the women’s basketball event of the 2024 Olympics.

    D’Tigress quickly established their dominance with a nine-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

    The Senegalese kept it close in the second quarter with a 24-21 margin for D’Tigress extending their lead to 12 going to the halftime break.

    Coming out for the second half, Senegal played with more urgency and were able to take the third quarter 26-19 reducing the deficit to five.

    The fourth quarter was back and forth between the two best teams of the tournament as Senegal continued to close the gap but D’Tigress took it to win the game by 10 points.

    The Lionesses have now lost to the D’Tigress in four Afrosbasket finals (2005, 2017, 2019, and 2023).

    For newly appointed D’Tigress Head Coach, Rena Wakama, she became the first woman to lead a team to the Afrobasket title.

    Nigeria’s Amy Okonkwo who finished the final with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists, was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

    However, it’s Interesting to note that the coach of D’Tigress, Wakama is the first female coach to win the Afrobasket title and with her in charge.

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  • Women’s Afrobasket: D’Tigress beat host Rwanda 79-48, to face Senegal in final

    Women’s Afrobasket: D’Tigress beat host Rwanda 79-48, to face Senegal in final

    Defending Champions, D’Tigress of Nigeria on Thursday secured a place in the final of the 2023 Women’s Afro Basketball Championship after defeating host Rwanda 79-48.

    The result against Rwanda ensured the Nigerian ladies reached the tournament’s final for the fourth time in a row.

    The D’Tigress has continued to show their dominance on the African continent since 2019.

    .D’Tigress put up a dominant display in the first quarter outshooting the hosts 22-6.

    The Nigerian ladies went into half-time break with a 26-point lead.

    Rwanda responded in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 18 points at a point in the game.

    The quarter ended with the D’Tigress leading 58-35.

    D’Tigress continued their dominance in the last quarter and ended the game with a commanding 79-48 win.

    Rena Wakama’s side has now qualified for the 2023 Afrobasket final and will face Senegal on Monday

  • Nigeria’s D’Tigress to meet Mozambique in the last eight at FIBA Women Afrobasket

    Nigeria’s D’Tigress to meet Mozambique in the last eight at FIBA Women Afrobasket

    The identity of the country Nigeria will face in the last eight at the ongoing FIBA Women Afrobasket Championship is now known.
    Nigeria’s D’Tigress will now meet Mozambique on Wednesday in one of the quarter finals games at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.
    Mozambique defeated Cote D’Ivoire in one of the qualification games on Tuesday by 70-48 points to set up the clash with Nigeria that topped group D with four points.
    Senegal that over powered Egypt on Tuesday have a quarter finals date with Cameroon while Mali takes on Guinea that stopped Angola.