More D’Tigers Players Expected as AfroBasket Preparations Intensify

Preparations for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket are in full swing as Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, continues its training camp in Abuja, with more players from the provisional squad expected to join in the coming days, Sport360NG reports.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation previously unveiled a 12-man preliminary roster for the tournament, led by newly-signed Houston Rockets forward Josh Okogie and Caleb Agada, who helped his side clinch the 2025 Basketball Africa League title. The list also features experienced campaigners and emerging talents including Ike Nwamu, Mike Nuga, Talib Zanna, Peter Olisemeka, Devine Eke, Kareem Joseph, Wesley Iwundu, Ugochukwu Simon, Stanley Okoye, Folabomi Fayemi, Emmanuel Omogbo, Christian Mekowulu, Martins Igbanu, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu and Tonye Jekiri.

As of early this week, only nine players from the squad have reported to camp. Among the early arrivals are Stan Okoye, Talib Zanna, Mike Nuga, Christian Mekowulu, Devine Eke, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, Martins Igbanu, and Andrew Ugo Simon.

The team is expected to be at full strength soon, as the coaching crew focuses on building synergy ahead of their tournament opener on August 13.

Head coach Mohammed Abdulrahman is in charge of the squad, tasked with guiding D’Tigers to a stronger showing than their disappointing 2021 campaign, which ended in a surprise defeat to Uganda in the pre-quarterfinals.

The 31st edition of the AfroBasket tournament will take place in Angola from August 12 to 24, with 16 teams set to compete. Nigeria has been drawn into Group B alongside defending champions Tunisia, Cameroon, and Madagascar.

D’Tigers will tip off their group stage matches against Madagascar on August 13, before facing Tunisia on August 15. Their final group game will be against Cameroon on August 17.

The knockout phase begins on August 18, culminating in the final on August 24 at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda. Matches will be held across two Angolan cities, Luanda, which will host both group and final-stage games, and Namibe, where only group-stage fixtures will be played.