Thrilled by the emphatic 77-59 defeat of Madagascar in their opening game of the ongoing AfroBasket Championship in Angola on Wednesday, Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President, Ahmadu Musa Kida, has charged the D’Tigers to remain focused and humble as they prepare for their second game against defending champions, Tunisia.
Kida, yesterday, reminded the team that each game presents a fresh challenge and a renewed opportunity to uphold the values of Nigerian basketball.
“As you prepare to face Tunisia on Friday, I urge you to remain focused, stay humble, and play with the same intensity and teamwork that brought us this first win,” Kida said.
“Every game is a new challenge, and every challenge is an opportunity to show the world what Nigeria stands for—resilience, excellence, and pride,” he said.
Tunisia presents a formidable test for D’Tigers. The North Africans are two-time AfroBasket champions and last defeated Nigeria in the 2017 final, winning 77–65. However, Nigeria has had the upper hand in recent meetings, including a group-stage win in the 2021 edition.
According to FIBA’s head-to-head records, Nigeria and Tunisia have met six times in AfroBasket history, with Nigeria winning four of those encounters.
Tunisia’s hopes of a third consecutive title have been dented by the retirement of Makram Romdhane and the absence of veteran Radhouane Slimane. They also suffered a setback in their opening game, falling to Cameroon, which adds pressure ahead of today’s clash.
Statistically, Nigeria holds the edge heading into the matchup. D’Tigers average 77 points per game compared to Tunisia’s 65, with superior numbers in rebounds (43 to 41), assists (16 to 12), and two-point shooting percentage (61.9 per cent to 41.3 per cent). Both teams are tied at 50 per cent from the free-throw line, while Nigeria holds a slight edge in three-point shooting at 25 per cent versus Tunisia’s 24.1 per cent.
Today’s encounter at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda is pivotal for both sides as they aim to secure top spots in Group B. The winner will take a significant step toward direct qualification to the quarterfinals, while the loser risks entering the qualification round.
