The Federal Government has congratulated Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, for their impressive start at the 2025 AfroBasket in Luanda, Angola, following a 77-59 victory over Madagascar in their opening fixture.
The National Sports Commission Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, speaking on behalf of the government in a statement issued on Thursday, signed by the NSC’s Director for Information & PR, Mrs Kehinde Ajayi, praised the team’s performance and commitment.
He urged the team to prepare for tougher challenges ahead as the tournament progresses.
“While watching the match, I remembered your promise to deliver the trophy when I visited your camp before you left. In this match, I saw the commitment, meaning that you have truly matched words with action.
“With the dedication and zeal you displayed in this game, it is evident that you are truly committed to bringing back the trophy.
“Your quality had never been in doubt. And in this form, it will take something extra to stop you. You have proved to be among the best on the continent in recent years, and you have once more shown your readiness to make the nation proud.”
“Keep your eyes on the goal. With your performance today, all eyes will be on you. The opponents will come out with greater force, but with your characteristic never-say-die Nigerian spirit, I am sure you will weather all storms and replicate the result your female compatriots D’Tigress recorded at the Women Afrobasket. We are still celebrating their victory, and now you have gotten us salivating once more,” Dikko said.
The NSC Chairman also conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s full backing for the team.
“Mr. President has propagated the Renewed Hope and Shared Prosperity agenda that is focus-driven and result-oriented. These past few weeks, we have seen the positive outcomes from sports, and Mr. President is expecting to get his hands on another trophy from you. I want to assure you that the whole nation is solidly behind you,” he said.
Similarly, the NSC Director-General, Bukola Olopade, commended the team’s performance.
“We believe in you. Surely the harder the opposition comes in the course of the tournament, the harder they will fall. Just stay focused and never look back,” the DG stated.
