“D’Tigers Suffer Third Consecutive Defeat as Cape Verde Prevails 78-62 in 2025 Afrobasket Qualifiers”
Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, faced another setback in the 2025 Afrobasket qualifiers, succumbing to a 78-62 defeat against Cape Verde. With three losses in as many games, D’Tigers’ performance has stirred discussions on social media platforms.
The downward spiral began with an 82-89 loss to Libya in the opening game of the qualification series. Subsequently, D’Tigers experienced a disappointing 72-62 defeat against Uganda in their second group match.
In the latest encounter against Cape Verde, D’Tigers started strongly by clinching the first quarter with a 24-16 lead. However, Cape Verde staged a remarkable turnaround in the second quarter, limiting D’Tigers to just nine points while scoring 23 themselves, taking a six-point lead into halftime.
The dominance continued in the third quarter, with Cape Verde extending their lead to nine points after winning the quarter 21-18. Despite D’Tigers’ efforts in the fourth quarter, Cape Verde maintained their control, securing an 18-11 victory to seal a comprehensive 16-point win.
Patrick Lima emerged as a standout performer for Cape Verde, contributing 15 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 33 minutes of play. On the other hand, Devine Chukwuemeka Eke displayed resilience for D’Tigers, scoring 31 points and grabbing nine rebounds in 37 minutes of action.
The defeat against Cape Verde adds further uncertainty to D’Tigers’ prospects, jeopardizing their chances of securing a spot in the Afrobasket tournament. This setback comes after Cape Verde denied D’Tigers a place at the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup, highlighting the challenges faced by the Nigerian team in international competition.
