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 campaign with a hard-fought 84-81 victory over Tunisia. The crucial Group C match took place in Luanda, Angola.

This win signifies a triumphant start for the newly appointed head coach, David Fizdale, who led the team in his first competitive outing. D'Tigers demonstrated resilience throughout the game, establishing a slight lead in the first quarter (23-21). Tunisia fought back to level the score by halftime after winning the second quarter 23-20.

However, Nigeria regained momentum in the third quarter, securing a 21-19 win, and maintained their composure in the final period. A narrow 20-18 advantage in the fourth quarter sealed the close contest, securing a vital victory for the team.

The win significantly enhances D'Tigers' prospects for qualifying for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar. The team is scheduled to play against Guinea on Friday and conclude the qualifying window against Rwanda on Sunday. Securing victories in these upcoming matches is expected to further solidify their position in the qualification race.