D’Tigers of Nigeria were defeated 88-78 by Tunisia in their first qualification game for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
Nigeria stuck with their opponents for most of the game until overtime at the Salle Multidisciplinaire de Radès, Tunisia, on Thursday.
D’Tigers last featured at the World Cup in 2019, and the team is seeking redemption after missing out on the 2023 edition.
However, the qualification series’ opener left a bitter taste. Although Nigeria led after the first quarter, 15-12, the team was down 35-32 by halftime with veterans Oussama Marnaoui and Omar Abada in impressive form for Tunisia.
The third quarter was a topsy-turvy episode with both Nigeria and Tunisia netting eight unreplied points on different occasions. The score was tied at 53-53 when the buzzer went.
An additional 20 points from each team after the final quarter sends the game into overtime. Tunisia were the stronger side during the added time and sealed a significant victory.
Talib Zanna was Nigeria’s top scorer with 22 points, while his teammate Morris Udeze was the other Nigerian to score in double figures with 10 points.
D’Tigers will face Guinea in their second game on Saturday, before playing Rwanda on November 30 to wrap up the initial half of the first round of the qualifiers.
The teams in the group will play each other once more in the concluding half of the first round. The top three teams from the group will qualify for the final round.
The top five African teams will qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for August 27 to September 12.
