Get Guardian on GoogleD’Tigers, yesterday in Luanda, Angola, showed their determination to reclaim the AfroBasket title when they defeated hard-fighting Cameroon in the last Group B game of the championship at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda, Angola.
D’Tigers last won the title 10 years ago, but the manner they have approached this edition shows a team determined to regain the crown.
Nigeria started the campaign with a 77-59 defeat of Madagascar and an 87-66 victory over defending champions, Tunisia, before yesterday’s masterclass against Cameroon.
The teams went into the game with the aim of getting the win that would shoot them to the quarterfinals, but the Nigerians were the more precise as they raced to a narrow 28-27 advantage in the opening quarter.
D’Tigers then moved a gear higher in the second quarter, which they won by 32-16 to open up a commanding lead.
With Caleb Agada and Christian Mekowulu contributing 12 points apiece, D’Tigers kept Yves Ouwe-Missi (13 points) and Jeremiah Hill (12 Points) at bay the end the half time ahead.
The Nigerian continued with the same commanding pattern on the third quarter, which they won
26-12 to open a 31-point advantage heading into the final period. Despite outscoring Nigeria 37-15 in the fourth quarter, Cameroon’s late surge wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit, as the D’Tigers held on for a 101-92 victory.
D’Tigers are guaranteed two rest days to allow Cameroon and others battle for quarterfinals tickets in the play-offs, but they will return to action on Wednesday when the last eight battles begin.
