LUANDA (Angola) - Nigeria's D'Tigers got their 2025 AfroBasket Group B campaign off to a right note with a 77-59 victory over the island nation of Madagascar on Wednesday afternoon at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda.
In the second meeting between Nigeria and Madagascar in the AfroBasket since 2011, it was the D'Tigers again that notched victory with a game-high 22 points from Caleb Agada. His teammates, Stan Okoye (13 points), team captain Ike Nwamu (12 points) and Kaodirichi Akobundu (10 points) contributed to Nigeria's victory.
Sitraka Raharimanantoanina's 20 points were vital for Madagascar but they weren't enough to stop Nigeria's dominant third quarter.
Other Malagasy players, who scored in double figures, were Kiady Razanamahenina (13 points) and Mathias M'madi (11 points).
The first half saw both teams butting heads to see which opponent would fold.
2025 BAL champion Agada (13 points) and Malagasy big man Raharimananatoanina (11 points) led their countries in scoring in the first half. Agada, who was 6-for-11 in field-goals, pushed the ball into the opposition's paint, drove to the rim and also used his midrange to good effect.
Raharimananatoanina's length troubled Nigeria with his midrange and inside game, making four of his six attempts. He also showed he can shoot it from three when he made his single attempt a minute into the game.
Nigeria finished the quarter 38-37 up after forward Akobundu cleaned up with a put-back dunk at the buzzer from a missed Agada three-point shot.
TURNING POINT: Nigeria took the game to Madagascar in the third quarter.
The D'Tigers got out of the blocks early in the third quarter with a nine-point lead (48-39) with single free throws from Akonbundu and Okogie, a jump shot from Zanna, and four points from Agada. A three-point Kiady Razanamahenina play with 4:42 played did little to stop the Nigerian onslaught. They added seven more points for a 55-46 lead at the end of the quarter.
By the fourth quarter, it was clear that the Malagasy had no answers for Nigeria, and they were worthy of their 18-point victory.
HERO: Caleb Agada brought his BAL form to the D'Tigers. He took control of the game for the Tigers, and he was a calming figure for them, especially when the game was tight in the first half. It
STATS DON'T LIE: Nigeria benefited from turnovers, scoring 13 points in the third quarter. The D'Tigers' bench also came to the party with 13 points. Nigeria 23-for-54 in made field-goals, and they out-rebounded the Malagasy 36-38.
BOTTOM LINE: Nigeria were too good on the day, they played as a team, and if they maintain their group ethic, it will help them going forward in the tournament.
WHAT THEY SAID: "We stayed together. The first half was not our best, but we came back collectively and decided to be progressive in the second half. We got back to our identity, which is rebounding, boxing out and playing defence. Those are the main things we focused on in the second half." - Nigeria guard Caleb Agada.
FIBA