The D’Tigers of Nigeria have secured qualification for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket by defeating the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde 76-63 on Sunday, February 23, at the Great Hall in Tripoli, Libya.

The D’Tigers approached the must-win clash with determination and were already leading the Blue Sharks 53-40 at the start of the third quarter. By the end of the quarter, Nigeria commanded a 61-54 lead and sealed the final victory at 76-63.

The 2015 AfroBasket champions needed to beat the Cape Verdeans after reigniting their hopes of qualification by defeating Uganda and Libya earlier in the weekend.

Nigeria had started the AfroBasket qualifiers on a woeful note, losing to all three nations in the first window of the qualifiers in 2024. A spirited response was needed in this window, and the D’Tigers, buoyed by the trio of Caleb Agada, Talib Zanna, and Ike Nwamu, turned the tide and sealed their redemption arc.

The D’Tigers qualified for the 2025 AfroBasket with nine points, the same as Group B leaders Cape Verde, and one point above third-place Libya, who also joins the qualified sides in the group.

The 2025 AfroBasket is slated to run from August 12 to 24 in Angola. It will mark the D’Tigers’ 20th appearance, and the team will be hoping to crown it with their second-ever gold medal.