…D’Tigers to play table toppers Guinea on Friday
Returnees Chimezie Metu and Ike Iroegbu scored 17 points each as D’Tigers edged Tunisia 84-81 in their opening game of the second window of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda in Angola.
It was also a dream start for newly appointed head coach David Fizdale, who handed starting roles to Ike Iroegbu, Uche Iroegbu, Daniel Utomi, Wes Iwundu and Chimezie Metu.
Nigeria made a strong start, taking the opening quarter 23-21. Tunisia responded in the second quarter, outscoring D’Tigers 23-20 to carry a narrow 44-43 lead into halftime.
The second half, however, belonged to the Nigerians. D’Tigers won the third quarter 21-19 before closing out the game with a 20-18 fourth-quarter advantage to seal a hard-fought three-point victory. The result also avenged their 88-78 overtime defeat to Tunisia during the first qualifying window.
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Metu finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Ike Iroegbu matched his scoring output with 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and a joint game-high three steals. Wes Iwundu contributed 14 points, while Uche Iroegbu added 13 points in an impressive all-round team performance.
For Tunisia, Firas Lahiani posted a game-high 21 points, along with eight rebounds and two assists. Omar Abada also scored 21 points while recording nine assists and six rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to prevent defeat. Mohamed Mnafedh added 13 points, while Yacine Toumi chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Speaking after the victory, Fizdale credited his side’s resilience and teamwork for the result.
“Collective and physical toughness down the stretch won us the game,” said the former New York Knicks head coach after securing his first victory in charge of Nigeria.
Tunisia head coach Adel Tlatli admitted his side faced a much-improved Nigerian team compared to the one they defeated seven months ago.
“This is not the same team we defeated seven months ago. They could have ten different rosters,” Tlatli said.
D’Tigers will face table toppers Guinea on Friday. The Guineans got off to a flying start with an 89-63 win over Rwanda. The Guineans are unbeaten in all four games played in the group. They defeated Nigeria 69-55 last November.
