D’TIGERS CRUSH TUNISIA TO KEEP AFROBASKET HOPES ALIVE

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have continued their winning run at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Championship in Angola, defeating Tunisia in style to make it two wins from two games in Group B.

The victory was even sweeter because it avenged Nigeria’s painful loss to Tunisia in the 2017 final. And it came with a star performance from Josh Okogie, who scored an outstanding 33 points to inspire the team to a blowout win.

From the start, D’Tigers showed they meant business as they raced to a 13-point lead by the end of the first quarter with a 29-16 scoreline. They kept the momentum going in the second quarter, stretching the lead to 48-33 by halftime.

The third quarter was no different, as Nigeria tightened its defense and kept the offense flowing, finishing that period with a commanding 68-47 lead. Tunisia, which was missing key veterans like Makram Romdhane and Radhouane Slimane, could not find a way back into the game.

In the final quarter, Nigeria eased off slightly, and Tunisia tried to fight back, but the gap was too wide to close. The starting five of Caleb Agada, Ike Nwamu, Talib Zanna, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, and Okogie combined NBA quality with solid experience, which proved overwhelming for the Tunisians.

The North Africans had already suffered a shocking 86-65 defeat to Cameroon in their opening game, and this second loss leaves them struggling in the group.

For Nigeria, the win puts them in a strong position to grab a direct quarterfinal ticket, but their last group game against Cameroon on August 17 will be a big test.

D’Tigers have only lifted the AfroBasket trophy once, in 2015, and they will be hoping this form carries them to another championship.