- D’Tigers Suffer Defeat to Cameroon in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers
- Cameroon controlled the game after taking a first quarter lead.
- Nigeria will face South Sudan in a crucial Friday encounter.
Nigeria’s D’Tigers began the second round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers with a 78 62 defeat to Cameroon in Radès, Tunisia, on Thursday.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the game was played at the Salle Multidisciplinaire de Radès, where Nigeria made a strong start under coach David Fizdale.
D’Tigers initially fell 2 0 behind but quickly responded with a 6 0 run to take a 6 2 lead. Ike Nwamu contributed four points during the run, while Josh Okogie added two points from the free throw line.
Nigeria briefly extended its advantage to 11 9 before Cameroon responded through Christian Koloko. His dunk brought Cameroon level at 11 11 with 4:28 remaining in the opening quarter.
The basket shifted the momentum in Cameroon’s favour as they went on a 13 0 run to close the quarter with a 23 14 lead.
Nigeria matched Cameroon in the second quarter, with both teams scoring 18 points, but D’Tigers were unable to reduce the deficit.
Cameroon continued to control the game after the break, winning the third quarter 19 16 before taking the final quarter 18 14 to secure a 16 point victory.
Yves Missi was the standout performer for Cameroon, finishing with 24 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in 26 minutes and 42 seconds.
Missi shot nine of 13 from the field and six of eight from the free throw line. His dunks in the second and fourth quarters helped Cameroon maintain its advantage and prevent Nigeria from mounting a comeback.
The defeat leaves D’Tigers’ qualification hopes under increased pressure as Nigeria currently sit fourth in Group E with 11 points.
Cameroon and South Sudan occupy the two automatic qualifying positions in the group.
Nigeria will face South Sudan on Friday in a crucial encounter, with victory important to keeping the team’s hopes of reaching the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar alive.
A strong finish in the African qualifiers could also boost Nigeria’s chances of securing a place in the FIBA pre Olympic qualifying tournament.
