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Tag: D’Tigers

  • 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 cruise past Madagascar 77-59 in AfroBasket opener

    D’Tigers cruise past Madagascar 77-59 in AfroBasket opener

    Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, began their 2025 AfroBasket campaign impressively, defeating Madagascar 77–59 to claim their first victory in their opening Group B match.

    The team thrilled fans at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda, Angola, with an all-round excellent display.

    D’Tigers overcame an early scare to secure the win against Southern African side Madagascar. They led the first quarter 18–14 but lost the second 23–20.

    The match was tight at 38–37 midway through when Madagascar mounted a comeback attempt.

    The third quarter proved decisive, as Nigeria stretched to a 55–46 lead. By the buzzer, they had extended it to an 18-point victory, 77–59.

    Basketball Africa League 2025 winner with Al Ahli Tripoli, Caleb Agada, scored the most points for the 2015 AfroBasket champions.

    Agada amassed 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals, recording a game-high efficiency rating of 25.

    This was the second AfroBasket meeting between Nigeria and Madagascar since 2011. Then, too, D’Tigers triumphed, with Agada again scoring a game-high 22 points.

    Stan Okoye (13 points), captain Ike Nwamu (12) and Kaodirichi Akobundu (10) also played key roles in Nigeria’s success.

    Sitraka Raharimanantoanina’s 20 points were crucial for Madagascar but could not prevent Nigeria’s dominant third-quarter performance.

    Other Malagasy players in double figures were Kiady Razanamahenina (13 points) and Mathias M’madi (11 points).

  • 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.

  • D’Tigers slump in recent FIBA rankings

    D’Tigers slump in recent FIBA rankings

    Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team D’ Tigers has dropped four places in the latest FIBA ranking released on Friday.

    D’Tigers slumped from 39th to 42nd position in the world ranking.

    The former African champions tallied 299.7 points during the month under review to occupy sixth position on the continent.

    South Sudan hopped from 34th to 23rd in the FIBA World Ranking to become the top-ranked African team, overtaking Cote d’Ivoire.

    Angola, Tunisia, and Egypt complete the top five teams in Africa.

    Olympic champions U.S. protected their lead at the top, while Serbia jumped up two spots to get to the second spot with a total of 758.9 points, overtaking Germany.

    Meanwhile, basketball enthusiasts have called for urgent action for the team to get back to reckoning and get back to position in the world ranking.

    Femi Olatubosun, a fan, said that D`Tigers had completely fallen out of contention and were not the competitive team that we knew them to be a few years back.

    “Sadly, D’Tigers has continued to drop in the scheme of things, this is due to lack of competition and absence from major championships.

    “I urge the federation to look critically at this and organise some friendly games for the team before the qualifiers for the Africa Cup begin,”he said.

    Anthony Bernard told NAN that the federation has suddenly neglected the team who was a powerhouse of African basketball.

    “D’Tigers have dropped in the world rankings because there is neglect from the federation, the team needs to get back and challenge for titles.

    “The federation should organise friendly matches so that they can gather enough points and regain their top spot in Africa and in the world,” he said.

    D’Tigers last occupied the top African team before 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and remain the only African team to beat the U.S. national team.

  • Paris 2024: Nigeria’s D’Tigers miss out of Olympics after loss to Mali

    Paris 2024: Nigeria’s D’Tigers miss out of Olympics after loss to Mali

    Nigeria’s  male senior basketball team, D’Tigers will not feature at next year’s Paris Olympics after losing to Mali, in their second and final Group A game at the 2024 FIBA men’s pre-qualifying Olympic event on Tuesday.

    Recall that D’Tigers  lost its first game of the series against Senegal before losing to Mali  77 – 68  at  the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos on Tuesday.

    The D’Tigers recorded back to back losses for the first time in many years.

    The result means Senegal and Mali have qualified for the semi-finals of the six-team competition.

    This is the first time since the 2008 Beijing Olympics that D’Tigers will fail to qualify for the games.

    Senegal will now battle Mali on Thursday for who will finish winner in Group A.

    The team that will emerge champions at the pre-qualifying Olympic tournament will qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

  • AfroCan: D’Tigers bow out after losing 74-72 to Democratic Republic of Congo

    AfroCan: D’Tigers bow out after losing 74-72 to Democratic Republic of Congo

    Nigeria’s D’Tigers have been eliminated from the  2023 AfroCan championship after losing 74-72 to Democratic Republic in the quarter-final.

    The Nigerian home boys lost by just two points in a keenly contested affair at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda, Angola, on Thursday afternoon.

    Nigeria progressed to the quarter-final after defeating Gabon 71-55 in the classification round on Wednesday evening.

    However, D’Tigers surrendered to the superior firepower of the Congolese after a shambolic first quarter that ended 31-19 against them.

    The Nigerians spluttered to life in the second quarter and finished halftime at 45-37.

    The Nigerian side put up a superlative performance and reduced the deficit by 5 points.

    The Nigerians did all they could but didn’t overtake the Congolese as they exit the competition after losing by 74-72

    Kanyinsola Odufuwa was the best performer for Nigeria, with 23 points, five rebounds and one assist.

    Chinedu Chimbuo followed with 12 points, nine rebounds and two assists.

    The FIBA AfroCan was established in 2019. The competition features only players who ply their trade on the continent.

    The 2023 AfroCan will hold till July 16, 2023.

  • AfroCan: D’Tigers defeat Gabon 71-55, advance to quarter-final

    AfroCan: D’Tigers defeat Gabon 71-55, advance to quarter-final

    The D’Tigers of Nigeria yesterday defeated Gabon 71-55  at the Pavilhao Multiusos De Luanda in Angola to progress to the quarterfinals of the 2023 AfroCan tournament.

    The Nigerian team comprised of local-based players won two of the four quarters to defeat their opponent in the classification tie and gain a quarterfinal place.

    Both Nigeria and Gabon had a tie in the first  quarters but the Nigerian side took the lead in the second quarter of the encounter 25-14.

    Gabon bounced back in the third quarter with a 15-13 win but couldn’t give them a victory as they fell heavily in the fourth set, 15-8.

    The Nigerian side started on a shaky note, as the Gabonese got the first points and took a five-point lead in the first two minutes of the encounter.

    Adebayo Oduleye’s three-pointers brought Nigeria even with their opponents at 18-18.

    D’Tigers maintained momentum in the second quarter by outscoring the Gabonese 25 to 14. The second quarter ended 43-32 in favour of the Nigerians.

    Despite Gabon’s charge in the third quarter, Nigeria extended the lead to 56-47 and blew their opposition out of the court in the final quarter to secure a 16-point victory.

    Chinedu Chimbuo was the best performer for Nigeria, with nine points, seven rebounds, and six assists.

    D’Tigers will now face DR Congo in the quarter-finals of the competition presently holding in Angola.

     

  • AfroCan: D’Tigers suffer first defeat, lose to Angola 57-48

    AfroCan: D’Tigers suffer first defeat, lose to Angola 57-48

    Host Angola advanced to the Quarter-final stage of the Adfrocan tournament after defeating Nigeria 57-48 on Monday in Luanda at the AfroCan tournament.

    The host turned the ball over 30 times, but Nigeria could only score 19 points off Angola’s sloppy plays.

    While the Angolans remain undefeated (2-0), Nigeria dropped to 1-1 in Group C.

    Kanyisola Odufuwa opened the score with a two-point play that gave Nigeria their only lead of the game before Glofate Buiamba hit a three-point that put Angola in front and they never trailed again.

    At some point, Angola led by as many as 22 points.

    D’Tigers led Angola 15 8 in the last quarter but the damage has already been done in the first three quarters of the game.

    Although Buiamba – the only Angola to score in double figures – finished with 13 points, Wilson Cassav came off the bench to change the dynamic of the game for Angola, finishing with eight points and eight rebounds in 19 minutes.

    Cassav was 4 for 4 from the field, although he missed his two free-throw attempts.

    Angola coach Anibal Moreira chose to praise his players’ effort rather than single out one player: “I am glad we came up with the win even though we had 30 turnovers,” said the former Olympian point guard.

     

  • AfroCan 2023: Nigeria’s D’Tigers beat Mali 62-56, set to play Angola on Monday

    AfroCan 2023: Nigeria’s D’Tigers beat Mali 62-56, set to play Angola on Monday

    Nigeria’s D’Tigers yesterday  won their first game of the 2023 FIBA AfroCan after defeating Mali by 62-56 at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda in Angola.

    D’Tigers missed automatic qualification for the championship after losing their last game to hosts Ivory Coast 74-65, in the combined FIBA Africa Zone 2 and 3 qualifiers in Abidjan last week. They had lost 65-62 to Guinea in their opening game of the qualifiers but bounced back against Benin Republic with an emphatic 78-51 win in their second game.

    For finishing second in the qualifiers, FIBA gave the final wildcard to Nigeria.

    Despite being given a wildcard, Ogoh Odaudu’s side started well by defeating the Malian national team.

    The team took an early lead and never let their guard down as they ended the first quarter 20-9.

    The Nigerian team felt laidback in the second quarter and allowed their opponent run riot to reduce the deficit,

    However, D’Tigers picked up the slacks and managed to pick up 10 points in the second quarter to see the first half finish 30-22 in favour of the 2021 AfroBasket winners.

    It was an evenly matched encounter between the two West Africans in the third quarter of the game.

    The Malians started the brighter side, forcing Odaudu to call for timeout.

    And Nigeria performed better in the last two minutes of the game to pick up points and maintain their lead as the quarter ended 48-39.

    The Malians showed more resilience in the final quarter, forcing the Nigerians to turn the ball over. And D’Tigers almost blew a 10-point lead away with the score 60-53 with 44 seconds on the clock.

    The team managed to hang on to their lead as the full time ended 62-56.

    With Sunday’s win, Nigeria surpassed their record at the 2019 FIBA AfroCan, where they played three games and lost all three.

    D’Tigers will next face hosts, Angola, at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda in their second game on Monday (today).