Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, the D’Tigers, is preparing for a critical quarter-final match against Senegal in the ongoing AfroBasket 2025 championship.
The D’Tigers earned their spot after strong performances in the group stage, which included victories over Madagascar (77–59) and defending champions Tunisia (87–66).
The quarter-final showdown against Senegal represents a renewed rivalry, with both teams aiming for a place in the semi-finals and a chance to compete for the continental title.
Both Nigeria and Senegal share some history, having faced each other eight times previously, with the 2015 champions edging the stats by winning five games while Senegal have just three victories. Nigeria won their first meeting 80-65 in a preliminary round clash at the 2001 AfroBasket tournament, before beating them again 76-58 in the semi-finals at AfroBasket 2009.
The Lions then recorded a first victory over Nigeria at AfroBasket 2013, by winning 64-63 during the quarter-finals stages. Nigeria responded by easing past Senegal 88-79 and 76-71 during the semi-finals stages at both AfroBasket 2015 and 2017 respectively.
They met again in September 2018 during the qualification phase for the 2019 FIBA Men’s World Cup, with Nigeria claiming an 89-61 win. Senegal avenged that loss in February of 2019, by going ahead to claim an 84-63 victory also during qualification for the 2019 FIBA Men’s World Cup.
The last time both countries faced one another was at the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament hosted in Lagos, Nigeria, and it was Senegal who pipped D’Tigers 93-87.
Nigeria will be counting on Houston Rockets guard Josh Okogie, as well as co-captains Ike Nwamu and veteran Stan Okoye, who remains the sole member left from Nigeria’s triumphant AfroBasket roster in 2015. Caleb Agada has been crucial for Nigeria, while the support cast have proven they have what it takes to do well when called upon.
As for Senegal, their biggest threat comes from the duo Jean Jacques Boissy and team captain Brancou Badio. The influential Badio scored 31 points in the win against South Sudan and could cause trouble for D’Tigers, while Ibrahim Faye poses a solid opposition at any given opportunity.
