Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, the D’Tigers, delivered a strong start to their AfroBasket 2025 journey with a convincing 77–59 victory over Madagascar in their Group B opener at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda on Wednesday .
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Game Highlights
- First Quarter: Nigeria took early control, leading 18–14.
- Half-Time: A closely-contested second quarter trimmed the margin, but the D’Tigers held a narrow 38–37 lead at the break .
- Second Half Surge: Nigeria dominated the third quarter (20–9) and closed out strong with a 22–13 performance in the final period, pulling away to an 18-point win .
Statistical Differences
- Nigeria shot 48% from the field, significantly higher than Madagascar’s 35%.
- The D’Tigers also out-rebounded their opponents 40–31 .
Top Performers
- Caleb Agada led the charge with a well-rounded display—22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals—earning MVP plaudits for the game .
- Stan Okoye, a veteran from Nigeria’s 2015 AfroBasket-winning side, added 13 points and 5 rebounds .
- Ike Nwamu contributed 12 points, while Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu chipped in with 10—the quartet combining for a potent 57 points total .
Madagascar’s standout player, Sitraka Raharimanantoanina, scored 20 points, but the effort wasn’t enough to slow Nigeria’s momentum .
What’s Next
The D’Tigers now turn their attention to facing defending champions Tunisia on Friday, followed by a crucial matchup against Cameroon on Sunday .
This win sets the tone for Nigeria’s mission to reclaim continental glory after their last title in 2015—and comes hot on the heels of the women’s D’Tigress capturing their fifth consecutive AfroBasket crown in Abidjan .
