Basketball
2025 AfroBasket: Nigeria’s D’Tigers Outclass Madagascar 77–59 in Opening Game
Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, tipped off their 2025 AfroBasket campaign in style with a convincing 77–59 victory over Madagascar in Luanda, Angola, on Wednesday afternoon.
The win marks a positive start for the 2015 champions as they seek to reclaim the continental title. The game opened with a strong start from both sides but the Nigerian team took the first quarter 18–14.
Madagascar fought back in the second quarter, edging it 23–20, but D’Tigers held on to a narrow halftime lead of 38–37.
In the second half, the Nigerian team shifted gears, displaying defensive discipline, swift ball movement, and efficient shooting. They dominated the third quarter 17–9, building a comfortable cushion before sealing the contest with a 22–13 surge in the final quarter.
Caleb Agada led from the front with an all-round display, finishing with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Stan Okoye chipped in with 13 points, while Ike Nwamu added 12 points, with the trio’s leadership and experience proving pivotal in rallying the team through the decisive stages.
The Director General of the National Sports Commision, Hon. Bukola Olopade praised the team’s resilience and composure, particularly in the third and fourth quarters, where Nigeria’s brave adjustments shut down Madagascar’s scoring rhythm.
With the win, D’Tigers set their sights on their next challenge, which will be a heavyweight clash against defending champions Tunisia on Friday. They will conclude their group stage fixtures against Cameroon on Sunday.
Basketball
Fresh Ideas, Science Needed to Revitalise Basketball —ABA
Cyril Ogar
President/Founder, Amateur Basketball Academies, ABA, Aliyu Lucky Abubakar has called for a scientific and pragmatic approach to rediscovering the game of basketball in the North East.
The former player of many teams in Nigeria stated this on Saturday during training of coaches in Yola, Adamawa State.
Aliyu said the training is aimed to arm Coaches so they can, in turn, reach the children, especially those that ABA may not. The Deputy Comptroller in Nigeria Customs Service decried non-challant attitudes of the stakeholders in the development of basketball in the North East.
” Basketball is fading in the North East, and we at ABA will not allow it to die.”
“Adamawa was once a force in the game of basketball but had fallen behind. Our plan is to discover talent through coaching training, nurture it, and carry it from state level to the national team, and eventually, the global stage.” The basketball administrator said.
In his keynote message to the participants, which centered on the theme, “HOPE,” Harnessing opportunity, Organising for excellence, Promoting players’ development, and Empowering the next generation, Aliyu said, is far more than a drill instructors.
” Every child you see on a basketball court has a dream, and it is our job as a coach to spot it early and give it somewhere to go.” He concluded.
In his lecture titled, ” Who is a Coach”, Emmanuel Odah, the head Coach, FCT Basketball and former National Juniors team, described a coach as a committed, organised, affectionate, caring and humble.
” Commitment is consistency, and consistency is mother of progress; humility comes first because a coach who can not control himself can never control a game,” Odah insisted.
Other instructors at the training include ABA head of technical, Coach Adeka Daudu, as well as Coach Alexander Anyebe Ujoh, who spoke about the relationship between a coach and child in his care.
Coaches at the training commended ABA for its boldness to give hopes to basketball coaches all over the country. They promised that lessons learned would reshape and reset their mind on the job. They said the training will help them in understanding their role not only as an instructor but also grooming the children for a better future.
Among guests at the event include FCT Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Iyiola Ogundele and Bayelsa Veteran Basketball administrator, Coach Tony
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