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Tag: FIBA Afrobasket

  • FIBA Afrobasket: D’Tigress begin title defence in style

    FIBA Afrobasket: D’Tigress begin title defence in style

    Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, began their 2025 FIBA Afrobasket title defence on Saturday with a 92-45 thrashing of Rwanda in Abidjan.

    D’Tigress are chasing a seventh title and fifth consecutive crown, extending their unbeaten run to 25 games since October 2015.

    The match at Palais des Sports de Treichville saw Nigeria establish a 17-8 lead by the end of the first quarter, setting the tone early.

    D’Tigress dominated the second and third quarters, recording 28-17 and 26-12, giving Rwanda no opportunity to mount a comeback.

    The fourth quarter belonged to Nigeria, who outscored Rwanda 21-8 to seal a commanding victory and start their campaign in style.

    Nigeria, six-time champions and Africa’s top-ranked team, have won the last four editions of the tournament and remain the team to beat.

    Elizabeth Balogun, who plays for Charnay Basket in France, led Nigeria’s scoring with 18 points, four offensive rebounds, and two defensive rebounds.

    Veteran Victoria Macaulay added 13 points, four defensive rebounds, and two offensive boards, showcasing her usual reliability and experience.

    Murjanatu Musa also impressed, contributing 12 points along with five defensive and two offensive rebounds to the team’s dominant outing.

    Nigeria’s emphatic performance reasserted their dominance in African women’s basketball, while Rwanda failed to offer any real threat throughout the match.

    Earlier in the day, Senegal, another continental giant, easily dispatched Guinea 92-48 in their opening group game of the tournament.

    D’Tigress will face Mozambique next on Monday at 4 p.m., again at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan.

    NAN

  • D’Tigers win again, beat Kenya 71-55 at AfroBasket

    D’Tigers win again, beat Kenya 71-55 at AfroBasket

    D’Tigers beat Kenya’s senior men’s basketball team 71-55 on Friday in Kigali to set the stage for their final group game on Sunday at the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket in Rwanda.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian senior men’s basketball team won the first quarter 20-8, only to lose 14-18 in the second quarter.

    They however resurged in the game’s second half, winning 15-13 and 22-16 in the third and fourth quarters respectively.

    The Nigerian side, after having won their opening game, 81-73 against Mali on Wednesday, therefore lead Group C ahead of the group’s other match of the day.

    Cote d’Ivoire, who beat Kenya 88-70 on Wednesday, were taking on Mali later on Friday.

    NAN reports that Jeremiah Mordi was D’Tigers’ best performer on Friday against Kenya with 10 points and five rebounds, as well as two assists, one block and three steals.

    Albert Odero of Kenya however outshone him in the match as overall best performer with 23 points and eight rebounds for his team.

    Uzodinma Utomi had 17 points to emerge as Nigeria’s top scorer, while Stephen Domingo had eight rebounds and six assists.

    NAN reports that D’Tigers now have to win against Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday to qualify directly for the quarter-finals.

    A loss will see them finishing second to battle for qualification for the quarter-finals among the second-placed and third-placed teams.

  • Brown releases final 12-man list of D’Tigers for FIBA Afrobasket

    Brown releases final 12-man list of D’Tigers for FIBA Afrobasket

    The Head Coach of D’Tigers, Mike Brown, on Thursday released his final 12-man list for the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket which begins in Kigali, Rwanda next week.

    Afolabi Oni, the Media Officer of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), in a statement explained that the list does not have Nigerians playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

    He said this was because NBA League rules does not permit players to participate in a competition 60 days before the league’s resumption.

    “This has made the coach to try other players by extending his invitation to players in Europe, the minor leagues in the U.S and the Nigerian league.”

    Oni listed the players who made the final cut after days of preparations in the U.S to include Daniel Utomi, who plays Vichy Clermont in France, and Ikenna Ndugba.

    “The list also has Emmanuel Omogbo of Apoel BC of Cyprus, and Benjamin Emegolu (Rouen Basket Metrople, France), as well as TK Edogi who is making a return to the team after missing out of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

    “We also have on the list Stephen Domingo (Lake land Magic – G League, U.S), Jordan Ogundiran and Jeremiah Mordi.”

    The NBBF spokesman added that the list also have Nigerian premier league stars such as Rivers Hoopers point guard Ikechukwu Benjamin and Koko Victor Anthony.

    “The duo of Nwafor Celestine Joseph (Kano Pillars) and Agu Ibe Aguchi (Gombe Bulls) are on the list of invited players from the Nigerian league,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senior national men’s basketball team is expected to arrive in Kigali on Sunday ahead of their first game against Mali on Wednesday.

    Nigeria, ranked number one team in Africa, will face Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire in the competition’s Group C hoping to improve on the silver medal won at the Tunisia 2017 edition.

    Meanwhile, Ogoh Odaudu who led Rivers Hoopers to the inaugural edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) has also joined the team as one of the assistant coaches.