Nigeria’s D’Tigers suffered their second loss of the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket qualifiers as they fell 72-62 to Uganda at the Salle Mohamed Mzali Arena in Monastir, Tunisia on Saturday.
D’Tigers struggled throughout the game and failed to bring the same intensity they had in the second half of the loss to Libya on Friday as they were torn apart by Uganda from beyond the arc.
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The game started at a slow pace as both teams found it difficult to score points either through regular play or from free throws. It took over three minutes for Ibe Abuchi to score the first points of the game. Titus Odeke then responded with a three-point shot for the Ugandans.
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As the game progressed, the East Africans increased their momentum, winning the first quarter 12-7. The second quarter began cautiously, but the Ugandans maintained their intensity, winning the quarter 17-12. This gave them a significant 10-point lead at halftime, with the score standing at 29-19.
The half for the Nigerians was marred with missed shots, poor shot selection, and lack of aggressiveness. They turned over the ball 13 times to Uganda’s 9 and were in foul trouble early in the second quarter.
Uganda took the third quarter 26-25 in the fourth quarter but while the fourth quarter ended 18-17 in favour of Nigeria, the East African country held on for a 72-62 win.
Robinson Opong made the difference for the Ugandans scoring a game-high 39 points and 10 rebounds. No other Ugandan player had points in double figures.
Devine Eke had a team-high 19 points for Nigeria while Mike Nuga added 15 points. Bright Akhueite had a game-high 16 rebounds for the West Africans.
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