Nigeria’s bid to resuscitate its campaign for a 2027 FIBA World Cup ticket got off to a winning start yesterday in Luanda, Angola, where D’Tigers beat Tunisia by 84- 81 points.
 
The D’Tigers, who knew that they must defeat the team that beat them in the second window of the qualifying series last year, did not allow the North Africans any chance to get their acts together at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda, Luanda.
  
Coach David Lawrence Vanterpool’s lads won the first quarter 23 to 21, lost the second by 20 to 23, took the third by 21 to 19, before wrapping up the game in the fourth quarter 20-18.
 
Chimezie Metu and Ike Iroegbu led from the front with 17 points each, Wes Iwundu and Uche Iroegbu contributed 14 and 13 points respectively, while Kaodirichi Akobundu, Christian Mekowolu, Daniel Utomi, Stan Okoye and Caleb Agada added six, five and two points to the kitty.
 
Nigeria is competing in Group C alongside Guinea, Rwanda and Tunisia in the decisive phase of the qualification campaign.
 
D’Tigers currently occupy third place in the group, behind leaders Guinea and second-placed Tunisia, while Rwanda sit at the bottom of the standings.
 
Nigeria faces Guinea today before taking on Rwanda on Sunday in Luanda.
 
The top teams from the African qualifiers will advance towards qualification for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027.