Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, will aim to build on their strong start as they face Tunisia later today in a crucial Group B match at the ongoing 2025 FIBA Men’s AfroBasket Championship.
D’Tigers commenced their campaign with an impressive second-half display against Madagascar, turning around a slender 38–37 halftime deficit to secure a commanding 77–59 victory. Their disciplined defence and effective ball movement were key to their success.
Today’s opponents, Tunisia, pose a significant challenge for the Nigerian team. The North Africans are two-time AfroBasket champions and bested Nigeria in the 2017 final with a score of 77–65. However, Nigeria has enjoyed a favourable record in their recent encounters, including a group-stage victory during the 2021 edition of the tournament.
FIBA’s head-to-head statistics reveal that Nigeria has triumphed in four out of six meetings with Tunisia in the history of AfroBasket. Tunisia’s aspirations for a third consecutive title have been complicated by the retirement of seasoned player Makram Romdhane and the absence of veteran Radhouane Slimane.
Adding to their difficulties, Tunisia suffered a defeat to Cameroon in their opening game, placing extra pressure on them ahead of today’s clash.
Statistical comparisons indicate Nigeria has the upper hand going into the matchup, averaging 77 points per game, whereas Tunisia lags behind with 65. Additionally, Nigeria leads in rebounds (43 to 41), assists (16 to 12), and two-point shooting percentage (61.9% to 41.3%). Both teams are level at 50% from the free-throw line, while Nigeria boasts a slight advantage in three-point shooting, with 25% compared to Tunisia’s 24.1%.
The encounter at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda is pivotal for both teams as they vie for top positions in Group B. The winner will take a significant step towards securing direct qualification for the quarterfinals, while the losing side may face the risk of entering the qualification round.
Ahead of the match, the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, called on the team to remain focused and humble. He reminded the players that each game brings unique challenges and opportunities to showcase the virtues of Nigerian basketball.
“As you prepare to face Tunisia, I urge you to remain focused, stay humble, and play with the same intensity and teamwork that brought us this first win,” Kida stated. “Every game is a new challenge, and every challenge is an opportunity to demonstrate what Nigeria stands for—resilience, excellence, and pride.”
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