Nigeria’s senior men’s team, D’Tigers, began their quest to claim a second continental title with a comprehensive win, as they defeated Madagascar 77-59 in their opening Group B fixture at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket championship, in Angola, on Wednesday.
Both nations were facing each other for only the second time in FIBA AfroBasket history, with the previous clash having ended 112-81 in favour of the West Africans during the 2011 edition.
The coach Mohammed Abdulrahman-led side came into the contest at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda needing to assert their dominance and they began brightly as the first quarter ended 18-14.
Madagascar launched a fightback in the second quarter, which finished 23-20 in their favour with D’Tigers holding the slim advantage at half-time as the scores remained 38-37.
Upon resumption of the third quarter, the 2015 champions began to flex their superiority, running away with the advantage 17-9 and finishing the job in the fourth quarter, which ended 22-13.
Nigeria made a total of 66 field goals attempts and recorded 48 per cent field goals. Total rebounds stood at 43, while the team registered 16 assists, 11 steals and three blocks. On the other hand, Madagascar mustered 65 field goals attempts, 33.8 per cent field goals, 34 rebounds, nine assists, seven steals and 17 turnovers.
Top performers for D’Tigers were Caleb Agada, who scored a game-high 22 points and seven rebounds. 34-year-old veteran, Stan Okoye, chipped in with 13 points and five rebounds, while co-captain Ike Nwamu and Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu recorded 12 and 10 points respectively.
Madagascar’s best player on the day was Sitraka Raharimanantoanina, who scored a team-high 20 points, while Kiady Razanamahenina and Mathias M’Madi both had double-figure point hauls, as they put up 12 and 11, respectively.
Nigeria’s next group outing will be against the defending champions and three-time AfroBasket winners Tunisia on Friday, 15 August.
