ABUJA (Nigeria) – Nigeria has won only one title on the continent, which came in 2015 when the D’Tigers lifted the trophy.
It was undoubtedly Nigeria’s best moment.
However, the country has struggled since then to gain a foothold on the continent.
This article discusses Nigeria's recent past and looks ahead to their 2025 AfroBasket campaign.
World Ranking Presented by NIKE:
6th (Africa), 42nd (World)
Since Nigeria's 2015 conquest of African basketball, the D'Tigers have struggled to regain their podium spot.
Looking ahead to the 2025 AfroBasket tournament, one might wonder if Nigeria has returned to its winning ways, given its performance in the second round of qualifiers in Tripoli, Libya, where the team finished with a perfect 3-0 record.
At the last tournament in Rwanda, however, Nigeria struggled, finishing 12th out of 16 teams - their worst result in decades.
It is expected that the team will bring the same energy they showed in Tripoli to Angola, where the championship will take place from August 12 to 24.
Road to Angola 2025
Many had already written Nigeria off based on the results of the first window of the qualifiers in Tunisia.
However, the highlight of the February window of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers was Nigeria, which surprised everyone by winning all three games and booking a spot in the final round.
Despite arriving in Tripoli with a 0-3 deficit and being condemned to do the impossible, Nigeria beat host Libya (75-70), Uganda (87-67), and Cape Verde (77-62) to finish third behind Libya and Cape Verde.
AfroBasket History
Of its 19 appearances in the FIBA AfroBasket tournament, Nigeria has only won the title once. In 2015, D’Tigers lifted the trophy by beating African powerhouse Angola 74-65. It was undoubtedly Nigeria’s best moment.
Although the West African nation had another opportunity in 2017 to secure back-to-back wins when they reached the final, host Tunisia denied them a victory in a game that ended 77-65.
Nigeria debuted in 1972, finishing 12th. The team has won one gold, four silver, and three bronze medals.
Coaching Staff
Abdulrahman Mohamed, a former Nigerian international player who featured at four editions of AfroBasket (2001, 2005, 2007 and 2009), is the man at the helm of Nigeria.
Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed, alongside Jeleel Deji Akindele and Chidozie Nwoye, all whom turned things around in Libya.
Key Players
Several names pop up for Nigeria, but these three stand out in Nigeria’s qualification to Angola.
Caleb Agada (19 pts, 7.7 rebs, 6.3 assts)
Team motivator Caleb Agada, absent from the first Window in Monastir, Tunisia, made an immediate impact on the Nigerian team in Tripoli, ensuring that D’Tigers remained strong and resolute.
He scored 14 points against the hosts en route to a 75-70 victory and added 20 points to their win against Uganda and 23 points against Cape Verde.
Agada was invited to the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup preliminary squad for Nigeria but did not make the final roster. In 2021, he represented Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics.
Agada helped Al Ahli Tripoli to the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) title.
Mike Nuga (14.2 Points, 3.5 Rebounds, 2.2 Assists) per game
Nuga experienced the full spectrum of emotions, from the frustration of seeing Nigeria go 0-3 to the joy of helping his country dominate their opponents in the second round in Libya.
The Canadian-Nigerian guard played a pivotal role as the team's primary point guard.
In Nigeria's qualifier opener, he exploded for 31 points, shooting 10-for-19, including 7-for-12 from deep, in an 89-82 overtime loss to Libya in Monastir, Tunisia.
Ike Nwamu (Points 12, Rebounds 5.3, Assists 6.3) per game
A member of the 2017 Nigerian team that finished second at the AfroBasket held in Tunisia, Nwamu went on to become an Olympian, representing his country at the 2021 Tokyo Games.
A guard, Nwamu rejoined Nigeria for the second round of the qualifiers and made an immediate impact, with contributions of 12 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.
Outlook
last window in Tripoli to Angola. If they do, they will be a force to be reckoned with, surpassing their performance in Rwanda in 2021.
FIBA