Nigeria’s senior men’s team, D’Tigers, have been knocked out of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket championship, following a 91-75 defeat against Senegal in their quarter-final clash at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda in Angola.
D’Tigers reached the last eight of the competition unbeaten but became the second team after Côte d’Ivoire to see their campaign abruptly end despite an impressive group-stage run.
The opening quarter was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads before Nigeria edged it 24-23. However, Senegal seized control in the second quarter, sparked by Jean Jacques Boissy’s three-pointer that gave them the lead at 26-24.
Another from Amar Sylla stretched the gap, and Nigeria never recovered. By the third quarter, the Lions had opened up a commanding 24-point advantage.
Although Nigeria fought back in the fourth quarter, Senegal’s early cushion proved decisive as they stood firm to win the encounter. D’Tigers started well, leading after the first quarter, but a poor second and third quarters ended Nigeria’s run at the championship.
The loss ended Nigeria’s hopes of replicating the success of their female counterparts, who recently lifted the women’s continental crown in style.
The five-time AfroBasket champions sealed a semifinal ticket and will face Mali, who stunned Côte d’Ivoire 102-96 after overtime in one of the tournament’s most thrilling games.
The result also dashed dreams of a second AfroBasket title for Nigeria after their historic triumph in 2015. D’Tigers will now regroup and return to compete in the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
