Nigeria’s D’Tigers secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIBA Men’s Afrobasket with a commanding 99-90 victory over Cameroon on Sunday. The win marked Nigeria’s third straight group-stage victory, cementing their position at the top of Group B.
Playing at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda, D’Tigers came out strong, edging out Cameroon 28-25 in the first quarter. But it was in the second quarter that Nigeria truly found their rhythm, with Caleb Agada and Christian Mekwolu leading the charge to extend their lead to 58-41 by halftime.
The momentum continued into the third quarter as NBA star Josh Okogie and veteran forward Stan Okoye put on a masterful display, combining for 30 points. Their collective effort pushed Nigeria’s lead to 84-53, seemingly putting the game out of reach.
Despite a late fourth-quarter rally by Cameroon, who outscored Nigeria 37-15, the massive lead D’Tigers had built proved insurmountable.
Key Player Performances and Team Stats
Nigeria’s offensive firepower was on full display, highlighted by a tournament-high 15 three-pointers. Six players scored in double digits:
Josh Okogie (Houston Rockets) was named Player of the Game with 16 points, 24 assists, and 2 rebounds.
Caleb Agada contributed 15 points.
Stan Okoye added 14 points.
Christian Mekwolu and Ike Nwamu each chipped in 12 points.
Martins Igbannu rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points.
Cameroon’s strong effort was led by Fabien Ateba (19 points) and Yves Missi (18 points). Jeremiah Hill also had 16 points before leaving the game with a knee injury.
Looking Ahead to the Quarter-Finals
While the team was thrilled with the win, Stan Okoye expressed his desire for a more complete performance. “We were a little flat in the end,” he said. “We have to learn to close out games and not let teams come back like that.”
By finishing first in their group, D’Tigers have earned a direct spot in the quarter-finals, bypassing the playoff round. Their next opponent will be the winner of the Senegal vs. South Sudan qualifier on Wednesday.
With their eyes on reclaiming the Afrobasket title they last won in 2015, Nigeria’s strong showing has established them as a top contender in the tournament.
