D’Tigers lost their second match in a row during the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers. South Sudan defeated them 82-79 on Friday at the Salle Multidisciplinaire de Radès in Radès, Tunisia, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
Nigeria had to fight back from an 11-point deficit in the first quarter. They briefly took the lead in the third quarter, but South Sudan stayed strong in the final moments to win by three points.
The Bright Stars started strong, going on a 9-0 run late in the first quarter. They turned a 15-14 deficit into a 25-15 lead and ended the first quarter ahead 30-19.
D’Tigers worked hard to come back. Their best moment was at the end of the second quarter and early in the third. Caleb Agada led a 7-0 run that flipped a 43-41 deficit into a 48-43 lead for Nigeria with 9:08 left in the third quarter.
South Sudan fought back to regain control, and the game remained close heading into the final quarter.
Josh Okogie tied the game at 70-70 with a three-pointer with 7:03 left, after South Sudan had taken a 70-67 lead. But Wenyen Gabriel answered back 21 seconds later with a hook shot to put South Sudan back in front, and they held on from there.
Marial Shayok led South Sudan with 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Nuni Omot added 13 points, and Carlik Jones had a solid game with 11 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds.
Okogie was Nigeria’s top scorer with 14 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, but it wasn't enough to keep D’Tigers from another close loss.
This defeat follows Nigeria's 78-62 loss to Cameroon just two days earlier. Yves Missi shone in that game with 24 points and nine rebounds.
Back-to-back losses have put D’Tigers in a tough spot as they aim to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar. Their upcoming match against Cape Verde on Sunday is now critical for their chances.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇