2025 Afrobasket Qualification: Igoche Mark Hails D'Tigers Feat

2025 Afrobasket: Igoche Mark Hails D'Tigers Feat

Ibrahim Lateef

In a significant achievement for Nigerian basketball, the D'Tigers have officially qualified for the 2025 Afrobasket tournament, following confirmation from FIBA that all teams in Group B of the ongoing Afrobasket qualifiers have secured their spots, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

The D'Tigers clinched their qualification with a game to spare, showcasing their prowess by defeating Libya 75-70 and Uganda 87-67 in their recent matches, before beating Cape Verde 77-62 in their final group game on Sunday.

Basketball promoter and founder of the Mark D' Ball Basketball Championship, Mr. Igoche Mark, commended the team's performance under the guidance of Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed.

He praised the players for their resilience and determination, particularly highlighting their remarkable fourth-quarter performance against Uganda, where they outscored their opponents 32-8.

"All I saw during the games we played against Libya and Uganda was a resilient team driving with a passion to subdue all obstacles, especially against Uganda in the fourth quarter. This typifies the Nigerian spirit," Mark stated.

Mark also expressed optimism for the future of basketball in Nigeria, offering words of encouragement to the team.

He emphasized that with the recent establishment of the National Sports Commission, led by Mallam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade as Chairman and Director General respectively, the challenges faced by the sport in the past are set to change.

"This feat shouldn't obliterate the rot and decay that basketball has suffered in Nigeria, but the good news is that with the coming on board of the National Sports Commission under well-seasoned sports administrators, the sport will soon witness that RESET," he added.