Nigeria’s D’Tigers succumbed to a stronger Senegalese squad on Wednesday, in a quarterfinal clash at the 2025 FIBA Men’s AfroBasket tournament in Angola.
The head coach, Abdul Rahman Muhammad, admitted that his team was outplayed in nearly every aspect, unable to replicate their usual form.
Senegal simply outperformed us; they were the superior side on the court. We didn’t execute our game plan well enough, and many things didn’t go as planned. But credit must go to Senegal, they showcased better basketball throughout the match
Muhammad attributed the turning point to Senegal’s tactical shifts during the second half, stating,
The team that adapts more effectively in real time is often the one that triumphs. After that timeout, Senegal recalibrated their approach and it made all the difference…this experience has helped us clearly identify our strengths and weaknesses. It’s an important step in building a stronger team culture. We’re determined to learn and improve from here.
Despite the disappointing outcome, he expressed pride in his team’s effort and resilience
This loss marked Nigeria’s first defeat at this tournament after a solid run of six victories and the earliest margin of defeat by double digits. However, the coach remains hopeful about the future of the team
I’m proud of the fight we showed, and we’ve got a clearer sense of who we are now as a squad…losing like this shakes you, but it’s part of growth. We know what must be done next to strengthen our play going forward – Muhammad
While the setback ends Nigeria’s quest for the AfroBasket title this year, the experience provides valuable lessons. The D’Tigers are now focused on refining their strategy and nurturing a team dynamic that will help them rise stronger in future tournaments. In Muhammad’s words, “We’ll take this as motivation to evolve, adapt, and come back better prepared.”
Leave a comment