Chijioke Gabriel
Nigeria’s D’Tigers on Wednesday crashed out of the 2025 Afrobasket Championship in Luanda, Angola, after suffering a 91-75 quarterfinal defeat to Senegal.
The result ended Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the semifinals of the continental tournament and came barely a month after the women’s team, D’Tigresses, defeated Senegal in the final of the women’s edition.
This time, the Senegalese got their revenge, dominating from the second quarter to seal victory.
D’Tigers had edged the first quarter 24-23, but Senegal stormed back with a 30-18 performance in the second, taking a commanding 53-42 lead at halftime. The third quarter proved even worse for Nigeria, who trailed 23-13, before a late fightback in the fourth (20-15) that was not enough to overturn the deficit.
NBA star Josh Okogie, who had impressed earlier in the tournament with 33 points in a group game, was restricted to just four points. In contrast, Senegal’s Brancou Badio starred with 32 points and an efficiency rating of 29 percent.
Despite the defeat, Nigeria still lead Senegal 5-4 in their overall head-to-head record.