Nigeria’s senior men's basketball team, D'Tigers, came from behind to beat Guinea 80-79 on Friday. This win marked their second straight victory in the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers.
After starting the qualifying rounds with a tough 84-81 win over Tunisia, the Nigerian team showed great resilience. They turned the game around in the last moments, boosting their chances of reaching the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Caleb Agada led the team with a game-high 22 points. Uche Iroegbu added 14 points, and Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu also contributed 10 points. Nigeria pulled off another exciting comeback.
D'Tigers began strong, winning the first quarter 23-17. The second quarter saw both teams scoring equally, ending 23-23. This gave Nigeria a 46-40 lead at halftime.
Guinea came back hard after the break. They dominated the third quarter, outscoring Nigeria 28-16. This pushed them ahead as the game headed into the final 10 minutes.
With Guinea gaining confidence, Nigeria needed to respond quickly. The team stepped up when it counted, tightening their defense and making important baskets late in the game. They won the fourth quarter 18-11, securing a one-point victory.
This win adds to a promising start under head coach David Fizdale. His team has shown they can perform well under pressure.
In their previous game against Tunisia, D'Tigers had to fight hard for an 84-81 win. Chimezie Metu and Ike Iroegbu scored 17 points each, while Wes Iwundu added 14 points and Uche Iroegbu finished with 13 points.
These back-to-back wins have greatly improved Nigeria’s chances of qualifying and showcase the team’s fighting spirit, even in tough situations.
With two wins from two matches in the second qualifying window, D'Tigers now look to Rwanda. They aim to keep their perfect record and get closer to securing a spot at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇