Drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Madagascar, and Cameroon, D’Tigers will open their campaign against Madagascar on August 13. Tunisia, the reigning champions, present a formidable challenge, while Cameroon brings athleticism and physical play to the group.
Key Inclusions and Omissions
Following weeks of intense training camp preparations, head coach Mohammed Abdulrahman trimmed his squad, leaving out Fola Fayemi, Kareem Joseph, and Mohamed AbdulSalam. Towering forward Peter Olisemeka will also miss the tournament after being declared ineligible.
The final squad is headlined by NBA guard Josh Okogie, whose scoring ability and defensive intensity have made him a fan favourite. He is joined by experienced campaigners Talib Zanna, Ike Nwamu, Stan Okoye, and Caleb Agada, all of whom bring prior AfroBasket experience.
The roster also features a new wave of talent, including Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, Mike Nuga, Devine Eke, Christian Mekowulu, Martins Igbanu, Ugo Andrew Simon, and Emmanuel Omogbo, signalling a blend of youthful energy and veteran leadership.
Tournament Context
This year’s AfroBasket will be the 31st edition since the tournament’s inception in 1962. Angola remains the most successful nation in the competition’s history with 11 titles, while Tunisia lifted the trophy in the last edition. Sixteen nations in total will compete for the championship in 2025.
For D’Tigers, the mission goes beyond winning games — it’s about restoring Nigeria’s stature in African basketball and matching the recent dominance of their female counterparts, D’Tigress, who currently reign as Africa’s women’s basketball champions.
With a balanced squad, strategic depth, and the hunger to reclaim continental supremacy, Nigeria will enter Angola with both ambition and expectation.