Nigerian basketball has achieved a significant milestone as the D’Tigers have officially qualified for the 2025 Afrobasket tournament. FIBA confirmed that all teams in Group B of the ongoing Afrobasket qualifiers have secured their spots.
The D’Tigers sealed their qualification with a game to spare, showcasing their dominance by defeating Libya 75-70, Uganda 87-67, and ultimately beating Cape Verde 77-62 in their final group match on Sunday.
Igoche Mark, basketball promoter and founder of the Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, praised the team’s performance under Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed. He highlighted the players’ resilience, particularly their impressive fourth-quarter display against Uganda, where they outscored their opponents 32-8. “In the games against Libya and Uganda, I saw a resilient team with a passion to overcome all obstacles. Their performance against Uganda in the fourth quarter truly exemplified the Nigerian spirit,” Mark stated.
Mark also shared optimism for the future of basketball in Nigeria, expressing confidence that the sport will experience a revival. He offered words of encouragement to the team, stating that the recent formation of the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade (Chairman and Director-General, respectively) will lead to positive changes. “This achievement shouldn’t overshadow the challenges basketball has faced in Nigeria, but with the National Sports Commission’s involvement, the sport is poised for a much-needed RESET,” he concluded.
