After losing three games on the bounce, Nigeria’s senior men basketball team DTigers finally settled for 8th position in the 2023 FIBA AfroCan in Angola.
A 62-56 point opening day group phase win over Mali had painted optimism on the horizon for the Ogo Odaudu coached Tigers.
However, it was a bumpy ride that beckoned for the Nigerian squad as they slumped 48-57 in the last group game against hosts Angola which meant they will have to play thru a qualifying playoff to get to the quarter finals.
Ogo rallied his troops to put up an immaculate performance in the qualifier where they hammered Gabon 71-55 to pick up a quarter final ticket.
Up next were the reigning champions Congo DR who used all their experience to get over the persistent Nigerian boys, 74-72.
The loss left a bitter taste on the lips of basketball fans, back home, who against all expectations were wowed by how Tigers performed against the defending champions despite little or no preparation prior to their campaign in the championship.
The painful loss to Congo could’ve taken a huge toll on the psyche of the Nigerian team who fell further in two successive classification games against Kenya 59-61 and Angola 69-72.
The 2-4 win loss record by Nigeria was enough for 8th place in the overall standings of the championship.
As the Nigerian lads prepare to jet back home tomorrow, basketball fans could be treated to another exciting action in today’s final of the FIBA AfroCan where a new champion will be crowned between Morocco and Cote d’Ivoire from 6PM.
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