AfroBasket 2025: Stan Okoye Names One Key Area D’Tigers Must Improve as Quarterfinals Begin After Beating Cameroon

As D’Tigers outclass Cameroon to book quarter-final ticket

Nigeria’s D’Tigers wrapped up their Group D campaign at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket in Luanda with a commanding 99-90 victory over Cameroon on Sunday, finishing with a perfect 3-0 record and securing direct qualification to the quarterfinals.

While the win highlighted Nigeria’s attacking depth, veteran forward Stan Okoye pointed out that improvements are needed if the team is to go all the way.

“We were a little disappointed because we were a little flat in the end. We have to learn to close out games and not let teams come back like that. It was really great to knock down shots, but we could have done better on defense and taken better care with the turnovers,” Okoye admitted.

Six D’Tigers scored in double digits, underlining the team’s depth. Josh Okogie led with 16 points, followed by Caleb Agada (15), Okoye (14), Christian Mekowulu and Ike Nwamu (12 each), and Martins Igbannu (10).

For Cameroon, Fabien Ateba (19 points) and Yves Missi (18) stood out, while Jeremiah Hill scored 16 before exiting with a knee injury.

After edging the first quarter 28-25, Nigeria pulled away in the second, outscoring Cameroon 30-16. Agada’s 10 points and Mekowulu’s hot shooting from deep gave the D’Tigers a comfortable lead that ballooned to 34 points before Cameroon mounted a late fightback.

Okogie and Okoye combined for 30 points in the must-win clash. Okoye, coming off the bench, was clinical from long range, making all four of his three-point attempts and adding seven rebounds.

Nigeria’s 15 made three-pointers were the highest by any team in the tournament so far. That shooting power, coupled with a strong defensive effort, proved decisive against Cameroon.

Nigeria’s win not only extended their dominance over Cameroon at AfroBasket but also set them up strongly for the knockout rounds. With Okoye’s call for sharper defense and game management, the D’Tigers will now aim to carry their momentum into the quarterfinals as title contenders.

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