Luanda: Tunisia's aspirations for a third consecutive AfroBasket championship took a hit on Friday as they faced a second successive defeat, this time against Nigeria, the 2015 champions.

According to Namibia Press Agency, on the fourth day of the 31st AfroBasket tournament at Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda in Angola, Nigeria's D'Tigers quickly established a 10-0 lead within the first three minutes, forcing Tunisia to call for an early timeout. The break did little to alter the game's momentum, as Nigeria, ranked sixth in Africa, dominated Tunisia in most statistical areas, including three-pointers, rebounds, and assists, except for a slight deficit in points scored in the paint.

NBA Houston Rockets player Josh Okogie led the charge for Nigeria with a game-high 33 points and six defensive rebounds. Okogie credited his Nigerian teammates for their support, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in executing plays and setting screens. He highlighted the need to adapt to the different rules between NBA and international play, such as the three-second rule and the more physical nature of the games.

In another Group B encounter, Madagascar's sharp shooting from beyond the arc in the second half and effective defense led them to an 80-77 victory over Cameroon. Despite trailing 70-75 in the final quarter, Jeremiah Hill's crucial performance helped secure the win.

In Group A, the Democratic Republic of Congo established a 37-24 lead by halftime against Rwanda. Tactical changes and increased aggression were not enough for Rwanda, who ultimately lost 58-65.

In a thrilling match, Cote d'Ivoire narrowly defeated Cape Verde 82-81 with a last-second jump shot by Assemian Moulare. Cape Verde had taken control in the third quarter, outscoring Cote d'Ivoire by 15 points to lead 65-56. However, frequent fouls in the final quarter allowed Cote d'Ivoire to capitalize on free throws, culminating in Moulare's game-winning shot and their second consecutive group stage victory.