Nigeria’s D’Tigers are set for a thrilling quarterfinal clash against Senegal’s Lions in the 2025 AfroBasket tournament on Wednesday, August 20, at 6:00 PM GMT in Luanda, Angola.
D’TigersTopped Group B with wins against Madagascar (77-59), Tunisia (87-66), and Cameroon (99-90). They won gold in 2015 with additional silver medals in 1997, 1999, 2003, and 2017, and bronze in 1995, 2005, and 2011. And are making their 20th appearance in the tournament.
Senegal’s Lions Booked their quarterfinal spot by defeating South Sudan 78-65. They boast five championship wins(1968, 1972, 1978, 1980, 1997), six silver medals, and five bronze medals. And are appearing in their 30th AfroBasket.
A spot in the semifinals and automatic qualification to the FIBA Basketball World Championship are on the line.
The last knockout stage meeting between the two teams was in the 2015 AfroBasket semifinal, where Nigeria’s D’Tigers edged Senegal 88-79 after overtime.
Kola Daniel, Senior Assistant Media in the Office of the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), notes that “With a place in the semifinals at stake, both sides will also be eyeing a bigger prize, which is an automatic qualification to the FIBA Basketball World Championship”.
The clash carries sentimental value, as Stan Okoye remains the only member of the 2015 title-winning squad still on the roster, a testament to his longevity and leadership a decade later.
Nigeria will hope to count on Okoye’s experience, as well as the quality depth of the team to dominate their West African rivals.
