By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, reignited their 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification campaign with a thrilling 84-81 victory over Tunisia in a crucial African Qualifiers clash on Thursday in Luanda, Angola.
The win ended Nigeria’s winless start to the qualifiers and handed new head coach David Fizdale a winning debut in his first competitive game in charge of the national team.
Facing a must-win encounter against one of Africa’s basketball heavyweights, D’Tigers produced a composed display on both ends of the floor, taking an early lead and showing resilience whenever Tunisia threatened a comeback.
Nigeria edged the opening quarter 23-21 before Tunisia responded to claim the second period 23-20, leaving the teams level at halftime. D’Tigers regained control after the break by winning the third quarter 21-19 and closed out the contest with a disciplined 20-18 fourth-quarter performance to seal an impressive three-point victory.
Beyond ending their poor start, the result also avenged Nigeria’s defeat to Tunisia in the opening qualifying window and breathed fresh life into the country’s bid for a place at the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.
The victory puts D’Tigers back in contention in Group C, with two key fixtures against Guinea and Rwanda still to come. Success in those games would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s chances of progressing to the next phase of the qualifiers.
With confidence restored under Fizdale’s leadership, D’Tigers have sent a strong message that they remain a force to be reckoned with in African basketball as the race to Qatar 2027 gathers momentum.
