Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have officially opened camp in Abuja ahead of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Championship, with more players from the provisional roster expected to arrive in the coming days.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) had earlier announced a 12-man preliminary squad, headlined by newly signed Houston Rockets guard Josh Okogie and 2025 BAL (Basketball Africa League) champion Caleb Agada. Other notable names on the list include 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 the beginning of the week, only nine players have reported to camp, including Stan Okoye, Talib Zanna, Mike Nuga, Christian Mekowulu, Devine Eke, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, Martins Igbanu, and Andrew Ugo Simon. The team is still awaiting the arrival of key players, including Okogie and Agada, as preparations ramp up for the continental tournament, now just days away.
Head coach Mohammed Abdulrahman will be aiming to guide the team to a better performance than their 2021 campaign, which ended prematurely in the pre-quarterfinals following a surprise defeat to Uganda.
This year’s AfroBasket tournament the 31st edition, will take place in Angola from August 12 to 24, with 16 nations vying for continental glory. Nigeria has been drawn in Group B alongside defending champions Tunisia, Cameroon, and Madagascar.
D’Tigers will open their tournament against Madagascar on August 13, then face Tunisia on August 15, before rounding off their group campaign against Cameroon on August 17.
The top teams will proceed to the knockout rounds, which begin on August 18 and culminate in the final at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda on August 24.
Two Angolan cities will host the event: Namibe, which will stage group phase matches exclusively, and the capital Luanda, which will host selected group fixtures and all knockout-stage games.
