Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have been eliminated from the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket after suffering a 91-75 loss to Senegal in their quarter final clash at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda in Angola on Wednesday.
The meeting was the ninth between both nations, with Nigeria having won five of the previous eight encounters. Coming into the game, the 2015 champions had looked strong after winning all three of their group stage matches against Madagascar, Tunisia and Cameroon to finish top of Group B. Senegal on the other hand booked their place in the last eight through a playoff win over South Sudan.
D’Tigers started brightly, edging the first quarter 24-23, but they collapsed in the second as Senegal’s Jean Jacques Boissy produced a fine display to inspire his side to a 30-18 run that gave them an 11 point lead at half time. The momentum stayed with the Senegalese in the third quarter as they extended their advantage with a 23-13 scoreline. Although Nigeria fought back in the final quarter and outscored their opponents 20-15, the gap was too wide to close.
Nigeria attempted 73 field goals and converted 35.6 per cent of them, while also recording 35 rebounds, 14 assists, eight steals and three blocks. Senegal were more efficient, making 47.1 per cent of their 70 attempts, pulling down 53 rebounds, registering 14 assists, five steals and committing 16 turnovers.
Co captain Ike Nwamu led Nigeria with 15 points, while Stan Okoye, Caleb Agada and Martins Igbanu added 14, 12 and 12 points respectively. For Senegal, Brancou Badio was the standout performer with a game high 32 points, supported by Boissy with 19 points and Moustapha Pape Diop with 14.
The result means Nigeria exit the tournament at the quarter final stage. Their focus will now shift to the FIBA Men’s World Cup qualifying series in November, as they aim to secure a place at the 2027 edition in Qatar, having missed out on the 2023 event.
