D’Tigers won 100-84 against Cape Verde in their last game of the fourth round of the 2027 FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers. This win keeps Nigeria's hopes alive for a spot in the tournament in Qatar, The PUNCH reports.
Caleb Agada had an impressive game, scoring 26 points. He shot 9-of-12 from the field and 8-of-11 from three-point range. Nigeria enjoyed a strong victory at the Salle Multidisciplinaire de Radès in Radès, Tunisia.
Nigeria took charge right from the start and never lost the lead. They built a 27-point advantage before finishing the game strong.
David Fizdale’s team quickly jumped to a 9-0 lead and ended the first quarter with a score of 23-9.
In the second quarter, they kept pushing, leading 52-35 at halftime. The advantage grew to 76-54 after the third quarter, and Nigeria wrapped up the game with a score of 100-84.
Agada was the standout player for Nigeria, finishing with 26 points, four rebounds, and six assists in just under 24 minutes of play.
The guard stepped up when Cape Verde tried to catch up. He hit two three-pointers and added a two-point basket, scoring eight points from 3:44 to 1:38 in the final quarter, sealing the win for Nigeria.
Josh Okogie also had a great game, nearly achieving a triple-double. He scored 15 points, grabbed eight rebounds, made 10 assists, and stole the ball four times. He had an efficiency rating of 25 and a game-high +28 plus/minus.
Chimezie Metu was strong on the boards, pulling down 12 rebounds. He also added six points, four assists, and one steal.
After losing their first two games against Cameroon and South Sudan, this victory brings back Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup. The final qualifying window is set for February and March 2027.
In the next three games, the top two teams in each group and the best third-placed team will qualify for the World Cup.
The last qualifying window will happen in February 2027, with five African teams aiming to secure spots for the World Cup in Qatar.
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