D’Tigers defeat Tunisia 84-81 in World Cup qualifiers

Nigeria's senior men's basketball team, D'Tigers, commenced their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers with a hard-fought 84-81 victory over Tunisia in Luanda, Angola. This crucial Group C win signals a promising start for the team under their newly appointed head coach, David Fizdale, who led the squad in his first competitive match.

The game was a closely contested affair from the outset. D'Tigers established an early lead, winning the opening quarter 23-21. However, Tunisia rallied to take the second quarter 23-20, leveling the score at halftime. Nigeria regained momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Tunisia 21-19, and maintained their advantage in the final period, clinching the victory with a 20-18 scoreline in the last quarter.

This significant win substantially enhances Nigeria's prospects for qualifying for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, scheduled to be held in Qatar. The team is set to continue their qualifying campaign with subsequent matches against Guinea on Friday and Rwanda on Sunday. Securing victories in both of these upcoming games would further solidify Nigeria's position and strengthen their chances of securing a spot in the global tournament.