D’Tigers roar to quarterfinals, obliterate Cameroon in thrilling AfroBasket contest

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Nigeria’s D’Tigers delivered a commanding performance at the 2025 AfroBasket Championship, overpowering Cameroon 99-90 in a high-octane group stage clash to secure a top spot in Group B and a coveted quarterfinal berth.

The pulsating victory, fueled by a balanced attack and relentless determination, showcased Nigeria’s basketball resurgence and silenced doubters who questioned their firepower before the tournament.

The D’Tigers, led by coach Abdulrahman Mohammed, came into the match against an unbeaten Cameroon side with everything to prove.

From the opening tip, Nigeria set a blistering pace, erasing a tight first quarter with a second-quarter masterclass, outscoring Cameroon 39-20 to lead 60-43 at halftime.

The third quarter saw Nigeria stretch their lead to a commanding 81-50, driven by a balanced scoring effort from Josh Okogie, Joshua Agada, Stanley Okoye, Vincent Mekowulu, Ifeanyi Igbanu, and Ikenna Nwamu, all of whom finished in double digits.

Cameroon fought back valiantly in the final quarter, narrowing the gap with a late surge, but Nigeria’s composure held firm, sealing the 99-90 win.

The D’Tigers’ victory was a testament to their depth and versatility. Okogie’s defensive tenacity disrupted Cameroon’s rhythm, while Mekowulu dominated the paint.

Agada and Okoye’s perimeter shooting kept the scoreboard ticking, and Nwamu’s clutch plays in the fourth quarter thwarted Cameroon’s comeback hopes. Igbanu’s energy off the bench proved pivotal, with one X user noting, “Ifeanyi Igbanu is a spark plug! D’Tigers are unstoppable!”

With this victory, Nigeria advances to face a yet-to-be-determined quarterfinal opponent on August 19, carrying momentum and confidence.