Nigeria's D'Tigers Face Setback with Third Consecutive Loss in AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers

Nigeria's senior men's basketball team, D'Tigers, faced a disappointing defeat to Cape Verde with a score of 78-62, marking their third consecutive loss in the AfroBasket 2025 qualifiers on Sunday. This defeat follows previous setbacks against Libya and Uganda, amid a challenging preparation period for Tunisia's first window of the qualifiers.

Despite a strong opening, leading the first quarter 24-16, D'Tigers struggled in the subsequent quarters with scores of 23-9, 21-18, and 18-11 against them. Devin Eke emerged as a standout player for Nigeria in the match against Cape Verde, but his efforts were insufficient to overturn the team's fortunes.

The team's recent performance has frustrated fans and commentators alike, who point to inadequate preparation time, limited resources, and frequent coaching changes as key issues. These factors have affected the team's cohesion and hindered consistent strategy development.

However, there is still hope for D'Tigers to secure a spot in the AfroBasket. They need to be among the top three teams in their group, and with another qualifying window in February 2025, there's time for improvement.

The Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) is now tasked with addressing these challenges by ensuring stable funding, establishing a consistent coaching lineup, and providing the players with sufficient training opportunities. The focus remains on qualifying for the AfroBasket and aiming for success in future tournaments.