SENEGAL ENDS NIGERIA’S AFROBASKET DREAM IN QUARTERFINAL CLASH

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria’s hopes of winning the AfroBasket crown were dashed on Wednesday as D’Tigers lost 91–75 to theions of Senegal in the quarterfinals at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda in Angola.

The game brought together two of Africa’s basketball powerhouses and it was full of drama, yet it was the Lions who showed more composure and accuracy to book their place in the semifinals.

Many Nigerian fans had remembered the famous 2015 semifinal when D’Tigers defeated Senegal 88–79 in overtime on their way to a first ever AfroBasket title, so there was belief that history could repeat itself.

D’Tigers had been unbeaten before this encounter and they started well, pushing hard against the Senegalese who had qualified for the quarterfinals after defeating South Sudan in a playoff.

Nigeria narrowly won the opening quarter 24–23, but Senegal came alive in the second quarter with a commanding 30–18 performance that changed the momentum of the game.

The Lions continued their dominance in the third quarter with a 23–13 win, and this gave them a strong grip on the contest. D’Tigers tried to fight back in the last quarter with a 20–15 victory, but the gap was already too wide and Senegal sealed the win 91–75.

Meanwhile, Mali’s remarkable journey in the 2025 AfroBasket continued as they defeated Côte d’Ivoire 102–96 in overtime to reach the semifinals.

On Thursday (today), the second two quarterfinals will see taking Egypt on Cameroon while and Angola will take on Cape Verde.

The two semifinals will take place on Saturday, and the tournament will conclude on Sunday, August 24.