Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, the D’Tigers, are in a precarious position as they fight to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 AfroBasket tournament alive. After a disastrous first qualifying window that saw them go winless, the pressure is mounting on this proud basketball nation to turn things around quickly.
Overhauled Roster and Coaching Staff
In an effort to shake things up and rescue their floundering campaign, the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) has made sweeping changes to both the playing roster and coaching staff ahead of the third qualifying window in Tripoli, Libya.
Leading the charge will be newly appointed team captain Ike Nwamu, a 6’5″ shooting guard currently playing professionally in France. Nwamu, who had a brief stint with the Utah Jazz in the NBA Summer League, will be tasked with steadying the ship and providing veteran leadership to a squad sorely lacking it in the first window.
Local Talent Steps Up
With no NBA players named to the 24-man preliminary roster, D’Tigers will be relying heavily on players from the domestic Nigerian league and other international leagues to get the job done. Notable names include:
- Mike Nuga – Valmiera Glass (Latvia)
- Ibe Agu – Customs (Nigeria)
- Five players from Rivers Hoopers – reigning Nigerian league champions
- Three players from Hoops and Read
“Coach Abdulrahman’s deep understanding of the game and strong bond with the players, along with his wealth of experience in the NBA Summer League with the Utah Jazz, will be a key asset as he prepares the team for the upcoming challenges.”
– NBBF statement on head coach Mohammed Abdulrahman
New Assistants Join Coaching Staff
Head coach Mohammed Abdulrahman will be joined on the bench by two new assistant coaches – Deji Akindele, a former Nigerian international, and Isikaku Ikenna Smart, who currently serves as an assistant with the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA.
The NBBF is hoping this injection of fresh perspectives and high-level experience can help guide the team to the victories they so desperately need to keep their AfroBasket qualification hopes alive.
32-Year Streak on the Line
Nigeria has qualified for every AfroBasket tournament since 1993, a remarkable 32-year streak that is now in serious jeopardy. To keep it alive, D’Tigers will need to win their remaining three games against the same opponents that dealt them three straight losses in the first window – Cape Verde, Uganda, and tournament hosts Libya.
It’s a tall task, especially without the firepower of NBA talents like Josh Okogie, Precious Achiuwa, and Jordan Nwora that Nigeria has relied on in recent years. But this proud basketball nation has a history of exceeding expectations and thriving in the face of adversity.
| Tournament | Nigeria’s Finish | Best Player |
| AfroBasket 2021 | 2nd Place | Josh Okogie |
| FIBA Olympic Qualifier 2021 | Qualified for Olympics | Precious Achiuwa |
| AfroBasket 2023 | Did not qualify | — |
As the new-look D’Tigers prepare to embark on this critical mission to salvage their AfroBasket dreams, they do so carrying the weight of a nation’s basketball hopes and expectations on their shoulders. The odds may be stacked against them, but if we’ve learned anything from the indomitable Nigerian spirit, it’s to never count them out.
The journey begins February 17th in Libya. The basketball world will be watching to see if Nigeria’s D’Tigers can rise to the occasion and keep their historic AfroBasket streak alive.
