Nigeria’s D’Tigers crush Madagascar in thrilling AfroBasket opener
Quick Read
By halftime, Nigeria held a slim lead of just one point, largely thanks to the standout performance of Caleb Agada, who was leading the scoring with 13 points at the break.
Femi Fabunmi
The Nigerian national basketball team, popularly known as the D’Tigers, made an impressive start to their 2025 AfroBasket journey by securing a comfortable 77-59 victory against Madagascar in their opening group match.
The game began with both teams showing great determination, making the first quarter a closely contested battle.
By halftime, Nigeria held a slim lead of just one point, largely thanks to the standout performance of Caleb Agada, who was leading the scoring with 13 points at the break.
Although the match remained competitive throughout, the D’Tigers demonstrated their strength and experience in the final quarter, dominating Madagascar 22-13 to seal the game with an 18-point margin.
Caleb Agada led the team with a total of 22 points, while key contributions came from Stan Okoye with 13 points, Ike Nwamu who added 12, and Kaodirichi Akobundu with 10 points. Together, these four players scored a combined 57 points, highlighting Nigeria’s offensive power.
This victory marks an important step in Nigeria’s quest to reclaim the AfroBasket title, which they first won a decade ago. With confidence high after this opening win, the D’Tigers now turn their attention to their next challenge against Tunisia, scheduled for Friday.
Fans will be hoping that Nigeria continues this strong form as they push for continental glory once again.
Comments