Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, saw their AfroBasket 2025 campaign come to a disappointing end on Wednesday night after falling 91–75 to Senegal in their quarterfinal clash at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda, Angola.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s hopes of matching the exploits of the women’s team, D’Tigress, who were crowned champions earlier this month. It also dashed dreams of a championship run that could have brought rewards and national recognition back home.
D’Tigers had entered the knockout stage as one of the tournament’s unbeaten sides alongside Côte d’Ivoire, but their title ambitions collapsed against a physically dominant Senegalese side.
Senegal’s Brancou Badio was the standout performer, dropping 32 points to lead his team to the semifinals. Nigeria edged the first quarter 24–23 after a thrilling exchange, but Jean Jacques Boissy’s three-pointer early in the second period put Senegal ahead for good. Amar Sylla added another from deep to extend the lead to 29–24, and D’Tigers never regained control.
Senegal dictated play with a decisive 13-5 run in the second quarter, stretched their advantage to as many as 24 points in the third, and used their superior height to out-rebound Nigeria 53-35.
The Lions of Teranga, the tallest team in the AfroBasket Championship, will now face Mali in the semifinal, having already beaten them 80–70 in the group stage.
For D’Tigers, however, it is the end of the road in Angola.
