Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, will continue their quest for a second continental crown when they face defending champions Tunisia in a high-stakes Group Stage encounter at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda, Angola, today Friday, 15th August 2025.
The clash pits two recent African champions against each other, both chasing early momentum in the race for a quarter-final berth at the ongoing 30th edition of the FIBA Men’s AfroBasket.
Nigeria riding high after confident opener
D’Tigers began their campaign on Wednesday with a commanding 77-59 win over Madagascar, showcasing a balanced offensive display and tight defensive work.
Caleb Agada stole the show, dropping a game-high 22 points and leading by example on both ends of the court.
Veteran forward Stan Okoye provided steady support with a double-digit scoring performance, while Nigeria’s depth ensured no significant drop-off in intensity when the bench players checked in.
Tunisia out to bounce back after shock loss
Tunisia arrive wounded after an 86-65 upset defeat to Cameroon — a result that ended their remarkable decade-long unbeaten run at AfroBasket.
Before that loss, the North Africans had not tasted defeat in the competition since the 2015 third-place playoff, when they were beaten by Senegal.
Ironically, that 2015 tournament also marked the pinnacle of Nigeria’s basketball history, as D’Tigers lifted their first-ever African title under American coach William Voigt, defeating Angola in the final.
The Tunisians will be without two of their most experienced campaigners — Makram Romdhane, now retired, and Radhouane Slimane — leaving a leadership gap in their roster.
Still, coach Dirk Bauermann will count on sharp-shooter Jawhar Jawadi, who scored 16 points against Cameroon, as well as Mohamed Ochi (12 points) and floor general Omar Abada (11 points) to spark a response.
Tactical battle and group implications
Today’s encounter promises to be a contrasting clash of styles: Nigeria’s athleticism and speed versus Tunisia’s disciplined, half-court execution.
Coach Mohammed Abdulrahman is expected to lean on aggressive defensive rotations to disrupt Tunisia’s perimeter shooting, while quick transitions could be key in exploiting the defending champions’ defensive gaps.
With top spot in the group still up for grabs, the stakes are clear — victory for either side would all but seal an automatic place in the quarter-finals, avoiding the risk of an extra qualification round.