D’Tigers handed Guinea their first defeat of the FIBA 2027 Basketball World Cup Qualifiers with a thrilling 80-79 comeback victory at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda in Luanda, Angola, on Friday, with Chimezie Metu scoring the game-winning basket.
Guinea entered the contest in impressive form, having won all four of their games during the first qualifying window before defeating Rwanda on Thursday in their opening fixture of the second window.
Head coach David Fizdale named Ike Iroegbu, Caleb Agada, Wes Iwundu, Chimezie Metu, and Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu in the starting lineup as Nigeria looked to upset the group leaders.
D’Tigers made a bright start, with Caleb Agada opening the scoring from the free-throw line. Nigeria controlled the opening quarter to take a 23-17 lead before both teams matched each other 23-23 in the second quarter, allowing D’Tigers to carry a six-point advantage into halftime.
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Agada led Nigeria with 16 first-half points, while Metu contributed six points and six rebounds.
Guinea responded emphatically after the break, showing why they topped the group. They dominated the third quarter 28-16, overturning Nigeria’s halftime lead and taking a six-point advantage into the final period.
However, D’Tigers produced a spirited response in the fourth quarter, outscoring Guinea 18-11 while delivering a resolute defensive performance to seal a dramatic one-point victory.
Agada starred for Nigeria with a team-high 22 points, four steals, three assists, and two rebounds. Uche Iroegbu added 14 points, six assists, and two steals, while Akobundu-Ehiogu recorded 10 points and eight rebounds.
Metu finished with nine points and eight rebounds, including the decisive basket, while Ike Iroegbu, Wes Iwundu, and Christian Mekowulu each chipped in with six points.
Guinea had three players score in double figures, led by Sekou Doumbouya’s game-high 23 points. Souleymane Boum Jr. and Shannon Evans added 18 points apiece, but their efforts were not enough to prevent the team’s first defeat of the qualifying campaign.
D’Tigers will conclude the second qualifying window on Sunday when they take on Rwanda, as they look to build on the momentum from this memorable victory. They defeated Tunisia 84-81 in their opening game on Thursday.
