After Sterling Runs, D’Tigers Crash Out of AfroBasket 2025 on 91–75 Defeat to Senegal

Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, the D’Tigers, have been eliminated from the 2025 AfroBasket following a 91–75 loss to Senegal in the quarterfinals on Wednesday in Luanda, Angola.

The game began with promise for Nigeria as they edged the first quarter 24–23.

However, Senegal quickly turned the tide in the second quarter, outscoring the D’Tigers 30–18 to establish a commanding 53–42 halftime lead. The Lions widened the gap in the third quarter with a 23–13 run, leaving Nigeria trailing by 21 points heading into the final stretch. Although the D’Tigers fought back with a 20–15 advantage in the fourth quarter, the damage had already been done, sealing their exit from the competition.

Senegal’s Brancou Badio delivered a standout performance with 32 points, while Jean-Jacques Boissy added over 20 points to pile pressure on the Nigerian defense.

For the D’Tigers, Ike Nwamu led with 15 points, Stan Okoye contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, and Caleb Agada added 12 points. NBA guard Josh Okogie, who had been instrumental in earlier group games with a 33-point display against Madagascar, was restricted to just four points in this crucial encounter.

The defeat marks a disappointing end for Nigeria, who had entered the knockout stage full of confidence after sweeping Group B with victories over Madagascar, Tunisia, and Cameroon.

Senegal, a five-time AfroBasket champion, advances to the semifinals with hopes of extending their dominance on the continental stage.

With their elimination, the D’Tigers will now feature in classification matches to determine their final ranking in the tournament. For many fans, the loss raises questions about the team’s consistency, particularly given their strong start in the group phase.

For Senegal, however, the victory underscores their pedigree in African basketball and their determination to chase a sixth continental crown.