Speaking after the game, Nigeria’s head coach was candid about the team’s performance: “We started well, but...
Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, the D’Tigers, have crashed out of the ongoing AfroBasket 2025 in Luanda, Angola, following a 91–75 defeat to Senegal in the quarter-finals.
The game started brightly for Nigeria, who edged the first quarter 24–23 after a tight exchange of baskets. But the momentum quickly shifted in the second quarter as Senegal’s Jean Jacques Boissy and Amar Sylla drained back-to-back three-pointers to establish control.
From that point, the Lions of Teranga dominated proceedings. Valencia guard Brancou Badio delivered a standout performance, scoring 32 points to power Senegal into the semi-finals.
Despite late attempts by the D’Tigers to rally, the deficit proved too wide. By the third quarter, Senegal had opened up a commanding double-digit lead that Nigeria never recovered from.
Speaking after the game, Nigeria’s head coach was candid about the team’s performance: “We started well, but we lost focus at crucial moments. Against a team like Senegal, those mistakes are costly. We have to go back and rebuild,” he said.
Captain Ike Iroegbu also expressed disappointment: “We came here to make a statement, but it didn’t happen. Credit to Senegal, they were the better team today. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
The loss ended Nigeria’s hopes of matching the women’s team, D’Tigress, who earlier this month won their fifth straight AfroBasket title in Abidjan.
Senegal will now face Mali in the semi-finals after the Malians stunned Côte d’Ivoire 102–96 in overtime.
Nigeria’s exit raises fresh questions about the state of the men’s program, which has struggled for consistency despite a strong talent pool of players at home and abroad.
