D’Tigers Book Second-Round Ticket with Dramatic Victory Over Unbeaten Guinea

Posted : 04 July 2026

Nigeria’s senior men's basketball team, D’Tigers, sealed qualification for the second round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers after edging previously unbeaten Guinea 80-79 in a dramatic Group C clash in Luanda, Angola.

The hard-fought victory completed a flawless qualifying window for Nigeria under new head coach David Fizdale, following Thursday's impressive 84-81 win over Tunisia.

The back-to-back triumphs have significantly boosted D’Tigers’ World Cup qualification hopes while restoring confidence within the squad.

Guinea entered the contest as Group C leaders and the only unbeaten side in the group, but Nigeria produced a resilient display to hand them their first defeat of the campaign.

D’Tigers started brightly, taking the opening quarter 22-17 before both teams matched each other with 23 points apiece in the second quarter, giving Nigeria a 45-40 halftime advantage.

Guinea wrestled control after the interval, dominating the third quarter 28-16 to overturn the deficit and move within touching distance of victory.

However, Nigeria mounted a spirited response in the final quarter, outscoring their opponents 18-11 to complete a remarkable comeback and snatch the contest by a single point.

Caleb Agada delivered a game-high 22 points to lead the Nigerian offence, while Uche Iroegbu contributed 14 points. Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu added 10 points in another impressive all-round team performance.

The defining moment came from Chimezie Metu, whose decisive late basket proved to be the difference as D’Tigers sealed an unforgettable victory.

Beyond the winning shot, Metu once again showcased his importance with his defensive intensity, leadership, and ability to deliver in crucial moments.

Nigeria's qualification for the second round represents a major turnaround after a difficult start to the campaign and reflects the immediate impact of Fizdale's leadership.

D’Tigers will now shift focus to their final fixture of the qualifying window against Rwanda, aiming to extend their winning streak and carry strong momentum into the next phase of the race for a place at the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.

With qualification for the second round already secured, Nigeria will be looking to maintain their impressive form and build further confidence ahead of the next stage of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

D’Tigers Book Second-Round Ticket with Dramatic Victory Over Unbeaten Guinea

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