AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, recorded mixed fortunes in their double-header friendly series against Guinea at the Mo Arena in Abuja as preparations intensify for the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 in Angola from August 12 to 24.
In the first game played on Thursday, August 7, the hosts produced a strong performance to edge Guinea 78–73 in a high-tempo contest that thrilled the home crowd.
However, the momentum was short-lived as Guinea bounced back the following day to claim a narrow 68–65 victory, exposing areas the Nigerian side will need to fine-tune before the continental showpiece.
The two encounters provided valuable lessons for Coach Abduorahman Mohammed and his technical crew, offering a glimpse of the team’s firepower as well as their vulnerabilities.
With Nigeria seeking a first AfroBasket title since 2015, the matches underlined the importance of cohesion, composure, and consistency. NBA guard Josh Okogie of the Houston Rockets has joined the camp in Abuja, bringing experience and leadership to a squad set to battle Madagascar, Tunisia, and Cameroon in Group B.
National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko was also present to motivate the players during training, adding to the team’s growing sense of focus and determination ahead of their trip to Luanda.
