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AfroBasket 2025: D’Tigers Defeat Madagascar In Opening Game.
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Agada scored 22 points; Okoye added 13 points for Nigeria.
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Nigeria faces Tunisia next, then Cameroon in Group B.
Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, kicked off their FIBA AfroBasket 2025 campaign with a dominant 77-59 win over Madagascar on Wednesday in Luanda, Angola.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Group B encounter, played at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda, saw the Nigerians take control early, winning the first quarter 18-4 and heading into halftime with a 38-27 lead.
They extended the gap with a commanding third quarter performance, outscoring Madagascar 20-9, before sealing the victory with a 22-13 final quarter.
D’Tigers’ accuracy proved decisive, shooting 48 per cent from the field compared to Madagascar’s 35 per cent. They also dominated the rebounds, securing 40 boards against their opponents’ 31.
Guard Caleb Agada led the charge with 22 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in just over 25 minutes. Veteran forward Stan Okoye, part of Nigeria’s 2015 AfroBasket-winning team, added 13 points and five rebounds, while Ike Nwamu and Talib Zanna made key contributions at both ends of the court.
Madagascar’s Raharimanana top-scored for his side with 20 points, but the team struggled to match Nigeria’s depth and physicality.
The win places Nigeria in a strong position in Group B, where they will face defending champions Tunisia on Friday, August 15, and 2017 bronze medallists Cameroon on Sunday, August 17.
Interim head coach Mohammed Abdulrahman, formerly the assistant coach, will aim to guide the 2015 champions through a challenging group stage. Nigeria’s AfroBasket record includes one gold medal, four silver medals, and three bronzes.
