Nigeria, looking to replicate their performance from 10 years ago where they lifted the title, are off to a good start, while Tunisia, who came in chasing a three-peat, are left fighting to rescue their quest
Last Updated on
August 15, 2025
Josh Okogie — the lone AfroBasket champion on Nigeria’s current D’Tigers squad — made his presence felt in a big way, torching Tunisia for 33 points to power an emphatic 87-66 victory over the defending champions.
After a quiet outing against Madagascar (5 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds), the Houston Rockets guard flipped the switch, delivering a masterclass in just over 24 minutes of action. Okogie went 12-of-19 from the field, knocked down 3 triples, and was automatic from the line (6-of-6). He also pulled down 6 boards and dished out 2 assists, finishing with an efficiency rating of 32.
This performance not only underlined his veteran pedigree from the 2015 gold-winning squad — it sent a message: D’Tigers mean business.
"The game went well. We came out with a victory and that's what we want individually and as a team. Coming into this tournament we told each other it's going to be someone different each game. In the first game Caleb (Agada who scored 22 ) carried us home, today I was feeling good, next game it might be someone else, but at the end of the day all we want is the W," Okogie told AfricaBasket.com.
Okogie carries the tag of a relentless defender whose energy matches coach Abdulrahman Mohammed's style of play on display as their defense killed Tunisia's attempt to get a leg in the game all evening. However, he let his scoring prowess come to the fore and he dazzled.
"It is about impact winning, that's how I see the game. Today I impacted on both ends but some times it will be more defense and others more offense. Whatever I can do to help the team win, I do," the NBA star offered in response to a performance that went against the grain of his identity.
It was fireworks from the jump at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda in Angola, as Ike Nwamu lit it up from deep to spark a scorching 10-0 start for Nigeria that immediately put Tunisia on the back foot. The defending champions were forced into an early timeout just three and a half minutes in, finally getting on the board thanks to a Jawhar Jawadi bucket.
Then, the Josh Okogie show began.
The NBA star came alive midway through the first quarter, rising for a thunderous dunk before going on a personal 5-0 run. He wasn’t done — a late three capped off a dominant stretch that saw him hit double digits by the end of the opening frame, which Nigeria closed out 29-16.
Tunisia tried to hang on, with Wassef Methnani and Mohamed Fares Ochi providing key buckets to keep the game from getting completely out of hand early in the second. But Okogie stayed hot, adding five more quick points to push Nigeria's lead to 43-21 just five minutes into the quarter. Tunisia rallied with a stronger close to the half, edging the latter part of the period 12-6, but still went into the break trailing by 15.
The D’Tigers maintained their grip in the third, winning the quarter 20-15 as Tunisia’s offense continued to struggle to find rhythm. The final frame saw both sides trade baskets evenly (19-19), but by then, the damage was long done.
With their 87-66 victory, Nigeria moved to 2-0 in Group B, and Josh Okogie’s breakout performance may just have redefined the tone of their AfroBasket 2025 campaign.
As they head to the final game of the Group Phase against Cameroon, Okogie predicts it will be a rough ride.
"It's going to be a good game. Cameroon are a well respected team. They look good and play good as do we. I am looking forward to the match-up and hoping we come up with a win. We pride ourselves in half court and transition defense and once we get that right everything falls into place," he concluded.
Meanwhile, coach Mehdy Mary admits Nigeria's physicality was a problem for Tunisia.
"Because of their wingspan, physicality, capacity to play multiple positions makes them a difficult team to attack half court. That is why we wanted to run more. When you take the game to half court with such a team it becomes difficult. We also struggled with moving the ball the way we wanted to, only getting it right in some moments. That led to us struggling from deep, ending with a 1-for-15," coach Mehdy Mary said.
As they head to the final group match against Madagascar, a lot is at stake for the defending champions who are yet to register a win in the 2025 AfroBasket.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
.jpg)
.jpg)
