D’Tigers Stun Defending Champions Tunisia With Emphatic 87-66 Victory At AfroBasket 2025.
Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, delivered a commanding performance on Friday, 15 August 2025, defeating defending champions Tunisia 87-66 in their second Group B match at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Championship in Luanda, Angola. The victory, held at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda, marks Nigeria’s second consecutive win, solidifying their position at the top of the group and boosting their prospects for a deep tournament run.
From the opening tip-off, D’Tigers set an electrifying pace, racing to a 10-0 lead within the first three minutes, driven by the relentless energy of Houston Rockets star Josh Okogie. The 2015 AfroBasket champion was the standout performer, torching Tunisia for 33 points, including 12-of-19 field goals, three three-pointers, and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Okogie’s masterclass, complemented by six rebounds and two assists, earned him an efficiency rating of 32, making him the night’s undisputed star. “We told each other it’s going to be someone different each game. Today I was feeling good, but all we want is the win,” Okogie said post-match, reflecting the team’s collective hunger for success.
Nigeria’s dominance was evident throughout. They closed the first quarter with a 29-16 lead, capitalising on sharp perimeter shooting and aggressive defence that forced Tunisia into early turnovers. The second quarter saw D’Tigers extend their advantage to 48-33 at halftime, with Okogie adding nine points, including a three-pointer from well beyond the arc. The third quarter was equally commanding, with Nigeria outscoring Tunisia 20-14 to lead 68-47. The final quarter ended in a 19-19 draw, but the defending champions could not close the gap, as Nigeria’s fluid ball movement and stifling defence thwarted any comeback attempts.
Caleb Agada and Ike Nwamu supported Okogie’s heroics, each contributing three-pointers early on, while Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu anchored the paint with authoritative shot-blocking. Emmanuel Omogbo and Talib Zanna added vital rebounds and interior defence, ensuring Tunisia’s offence, led by Omar Abada and Yacine Toumi (13 points each), struggled to find rhythm. Tunisia’s coach, Mehdy Mary, admitted Nigeria’s physicality posed a challenge, stating, “Their wingspan and capacity to play multiple positions made it difficult to attack.”
This victory follows D’Tigers’ 77-59 rout of Madagascar in their opening match, marking their first back-to-back AfroBasket wins since 2017. The team’s cohesive play, blending NBA talent with homegrown stars, has drawn comparisons to their 2015 championship-winning campaign, Nigeria’s only AfroBasket title to date. Head coach Ogoh Odaudu praised the squad’s balance, noting, “Josh had an incredible night, but it’s the work everyone else put in—on defence, on the boards—that made the difference.”
Social media buzzed with excitement, with fans on X celebrating Okogie’s “clutch” performance and Nigeria’s “unbeaten” streak. One post hailed it as “the Josh Okogie show,” while another declared D’Tigers a “serious contender” for the title. The win has positioned Nigeria as Group B leaders, setting the stage for a crucial final group match against Cameroon on Sunday, which will determine knockout-stage seeding.
As D’Tigers aim to emulate the success of their female counterparts, D’Tigress, who recently secured a fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket title, the team’s momentum is palpable. With Okogie’s leadership and a squad brimming with confidence, Nigeria’s dream of a second AfroBasket crown feels increasingly within reach. “We’re not here just to play,” Okogie added. “We’re here to win it all.”
