BY IFEANYI UWAGWU
NIGERIA’S men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, began their 2025 AfroBasket campaign on a winning note, defeating Madagascar 77–59 in their first group match of the tournament in Angola.
Ten years after clinching their maiden Afrobasket title, Nigeria is eyeing a second continental triumph, and the opening victory provides a positive start to their quest.
The game started as a tight contest, with D’Tigers holding a slim 38–37 lead at halftime. Caleb Agada led the first-half charge with 13 points, but Madagascar kept the pressure on. The turning point came in the third quarter, where Nigeria outshot their opponents 14–8 despite a brief rally from Madagascar’s Kiady Razanamahenina, who converted three free throws after a foul by Devine Eke to reduce the deficit.
In the final two quarters, Nigeria’s experience and depth proved decisive. Caleb Agada finished as the game’s top scorer with 22 points, while Stan Okoye added 13 points and Ike Nwamu contributed 12 points to seal the win.
D’Tigers will now look to build on this performance as they continue their group-stage campaign in the 2025 Afrobasket championship.
