LUANDA, Angola – Today na big day for Nigeria‘s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, as dem prepare to take on Senegal’s Teranga Lions in the quarter-finals of the 2025 AfroBasket. After grinding through the group stage like naija jollof, wey no fit fall flat, D’Tigers go enter this battle with a 100% record, fresh from dem victory against Cameroon.
Coach Mohammed Abdulrahman don gather him boys after dem beat Cameroon 99-90 for their last group game, ensuring dem top Group B. No be small wahala, as coach and players don talk say dem go focus on good defensive play, run fast up and down the court, to make sure dem catch quick and easy baskets. Dem sabi sey size no be all, na strategy dey matter pass!
On the other hand, Senegal don vibe well too, blending dem big men with good shooting. Dem started their AfroBasket sweetly with a big win over Uganda (88-53), then get sweet slap from Egypt (91-77), but hin don recover to punish Mali (80-70) before dem qualify to meet Nigeria. This match dey promise to be hotter than pepper soup, especially as both teams get history together, with Nigeria leading the wins 5-3 against Senegal. Talk about rivalry!
For the last time wey dem face each other in knockout phase, na 2015 AfroBasket semi-finals dem meet, and na Nigeria carry the day with 88-79 after some serious drama. Now, with D’Tigress don vex Senegal ladies for their own tournament earlier this year, dem go like show sey dem mean business today. All eyes go dey on veterans like Stan Okoye wey still dey represent since 2015 victory, plus young stars like Josh Okogie wey don prove say e fit shine under pressure.
Senegal get their own star players too like Brancou Badio wey shine with 31 points against South Sudan during playoffs. E dey cruisey, and Coach Abdulrahman sabi sey dem need to match fire with fire to outsmart dis Teranga Lions. Na West African derby matter, and e no go sweet if person no gree lose.
Fans for Angola and beyond dey expect this duel to be electrifying as D’Tigers aim for a semifinal spot and automatic qualification for the FIBA Basketball World Championship in Qatar. No be naija fans we wan disappoint; we go roll out the drums!
With emotional stakes high, dis match dey more than just a point on the scoreboard, it’s about pride, glory, and maintaining the bragging rights in African basketball. So guys, gather your palm wine, sit down tight, and enjoy the show! D’Tigers, make we go claim dat court!
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