D’TIGERS SET FOR ANGOLA AFTER DEFEATING GUINEA IN FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Nigeria’s national basketball team the D’Tigers will face Angola in a tough test in their quest for qualification to the FIBA Basketball World Cup next year.

The Nigeria team in the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers made a come-back from their defeat against Cote d’ Iviore to win against Guinea 89-70 to keep hope alive for qualification. Nigeria had lost to the Ivorian 66-78 at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, in a match the Nigeria team could not take a lead after the first quarter had ended 14-14.

With the Ivorian team in quick lead after the first quarter 28- 22 route to the half time break, it was obvious they were up to maintain the lead, snatching the early lead which Nigeria could not sustain in the early first half.

On resumption of the third quarter Ivory Coast stretched the lead to eight points with a lead 18-16 and in the fourth quarter Nigeria struggled as it could not reduce the deficit, the West African new giant in basketball wrapped up the match with 12 points victory, a boost to their next upcoming games.

Meanwhile, Nigeria will face Angola next in a battle D’Tigers are expected to win if it hopes to qualify for the world cup.

Having achieved a victory against fellow West African country Guinea in a match Nigeria outclassed them in the first quarter at the City Arena in Abidjan, racing to a 24 –15 points lead. But surprisingly, D’ Tigers almost went back to their mistakes against Ivory Coast as Guineans bounced back to level the tie in the second quarter 20-20.

On resumption of the third quarter, the coach Mfon Udoh led Nigeria side were positively aggressive and offensively faster taking a 32-15 to establish a comfortable status going into the last quarter.

In the fourth quarter, D Tigers showed brilliance stepping their legs off the pedal to dominate the quarter 20- 13. And eventually won the match 89-70! Thereby throw in a towel of challenge against their next opponent.

With crunch clash on Sunday!  Nigerians will hope for a victory, dreaming the D’ Tigers will sustain their new found winning formula against another basketball giant in Africa, Angola.