Nigeria’s D’Tigers fairytale run in the 2025 AfroBasket ended yesterday in Luanda after losing to Senegal 91-75 in the quarterfinal match.
Nigeria became the second team to reach the quarterfinals undefeated — after Côte d’Ivoire — to see their AfroBasket title aspirations come to an abrupt end.
Brancou Badio put on a show leading Senegal in scoring with 32 points.
An exhilarating opening quarter saw Senegal and Nigeria tirelessly trading blows, but Nigeria led 24-23 after seven lead changes.
Jean Jacques Boissy hit a three-pointer on Senegal’s first possession of the second quarter to give them a 26-24 lead. Another three-pointer from Amar Sylla extended Senegal’s lead to 29–24, and Nigeria never led again.
Senegal maintained their momentum with a 13-5 run before Nigeria called a timeout to minimize the damage.
However, there wasn’t much they could do, as Senegal appeared to be relentlessly dominant.
Senegal led by as many as 24 points in the third quarter. Senegal will take on Mali in the Last Four. They had previously beaten Mali 80-70 in Group D.
Senegal’s team talk right after the opening quarter proved success as they published Nigeria’s permissive defense with two straight three-pointers that ended Nigeria’s titles aspirations. Boissy and Sylla were Nigeria’s punishers.
From that moment onwards, this highly anticipated clash became a one-sided affair with Senegal putting their dominance at full display.
Brancou Badio, the Valencia guard came out with a recital of incredible plays, droving to the basket at will, shot from almost every corner of the floor, and eventually led all players in scoring with 32 points., while Jean Jacques Boissy continued to establish himself as one of the most productive sixth men in African basketball.
With this victory, Senegal returns to the AfroBasket semifinals for the fifth time since the 2013 edition of the tournament in Abidjan.
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