D’TIGERS STAY PERFECT, BEAT CAMEROON TO REACH AFROBASKET QUARTERFINALS

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria closed their Group D campaign of the 2025 AfroBasket on a bright note on Sunday as they defeated Cameroon 99-90 at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Kilamba. The result means the D’Tigers finish with a perfect 3-0 record and, more importantly, secure direct entry into the quarterfinals.

It was a strong team performance as six Nigerian players scored in double digits. Josh Okogie led the way with 16 points, while Caleb Agada added 15 and Stan Okoye chipped in 14. Christian Mekowulu and Ike Nwamu scored 12 apiece, and Martins Igbannu contributed 10.

For Cameroon, Fabien Ateba scored a game-high 19 points and Yves Missi followed with 18. Jeremiah Hill had 16 before leaving the game with a knee injury, and Samir Gbetkom finished with 13.

Both teams started fast and traded baskets in a thrilling first quarter, which Nigeria edged 28-25. Mekowulu hit two big three-pointers for six points, while Hill scored seven for Cameroon. The signs were already there that the crowd would witness a high-scoring contest.

However, the second quarter proved decisive as Nigeria raised their intensity and outscored Cameroon 30-16. Agada shone in that spell with 10 points, including a three-pointer, while Mekowulu added six more, making four of his five shots from beyond the arc.

Okogie and Okoye became the main driving force for Nigeria. Together they scored 30 points, with Okoye, coming off the bench, hitting a perfect four from four three-pointers and pulling down seven rebounds.

Cameroon tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter after trailing by as many as 34 points, and although they fought hard, the gap was too wide to close.

The statistics told the story clearly. Nigeria sank 15 three-pointers, the most by any team in the tournament so far, and Cameroon simply had no answer to their shooting power.

In the end, it was Nigeria’s defense that sealed the victory as they kept Cameroon from matching their rhythm. This was the fourth time both nations had met at the AfroBasket, and Nigeria once again came out on top, just as they did when they eliminated Cameroon in the 2017 quarterfinals.

Nigeria finished top of Group D with three wins, while Cameroon placed second with two victories and one defeat.