AfroBasket 2025: D’Tigers Triumph over Defending Champions Tunisia by 21 Points

Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, the D’Tigers, delivered a statement performance at the ongoing FIBA AfroBasket 2025 in Angola, dismantling reigning champions Tunisia with a commanding 87–66 victory in their second Group B game.

From the opening tip-off, the D’Tigers seized control, launching a blistering 10–0 run powered by sharp perimeter shooting from Caleb Agada and Ike Nwamu, alongside strong inside play from Talib Zanna and Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu. Tunisia, stunned by the early onslaught, was forced to call a timeout within the first few minutes. By the end of the first quarter, Nigeria had surged to a 29–16 lead.

The dominance continued into the second quarter, with Nigeria’s suffocating defense and fluid ball movement stretching the gap to 48–33 at halftime. The third quarter saw the D’Tigers widen their advantage even further, ending the period at 68–47, effectively putting the contest out of Tunisia’s reach.

Star guard Josh Okogie of the Houston Rockets was the undisputed standout of the night, dropping a career-high 33 points in a dazzling offensive display that kept the scoreboard ticking and the crowd on its feet. His performance, supported by disciplined team defense and relentless pace, proved too much for the two-time defending champions.

This win maintains Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the tournament, following their earlier victory over Madagascar. With a 2–0 record, the D’Tigers now sit at the top of Group B and are well-positioned for a direct berth in the quarter-finals.

Their final group-stage match will be against Cameroon on Sunday, a fixture that will determine their seeding for the knockout rounds. Given their current form, the D’Tigers have sent a clear warning to rivals: they are not just contenders—they are in serious pursuit of the AfroBasket crown.