Nigeria’s national basketball team, D’Tigers, kicked off their 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup qualification campaign with a tough loss. They fell 88-78 to Tunisia on Thursday. The game in Monastir went into overtime, with Tunisia ultimately claiming the victory.

Challenging Start for D’Tigers

The team faced significant hurdles even before tip-off. Their journey to Monastir was difficult. They arrived just hours before their only scheduled training session.

Despite these challenges, Head Coach Mohammed Abdulrahman fielded a strong starting lineup. It included Jordan Ogundiran, captain Ike Nwamu, Stan Okoye, Talib Zanna, and Chris Obekpa from his 12-man squad.

Match Overview: A Game of Swings

D’Tigers started the game confidently, quickly establishing a 5-0 lead. Zanna opened the scoring with a three-pointer, followed by two points from Nwamu. Tunisia responded swiftly, taking an 8-5 lead within five minutes. However, Nigeria recovered to finish the first quarter ahead, 15-12.

Ogundiran extended Nigeria’s lead to 17-12 early in the second quarter. But Tunisia gradually took control. They tightened their defense and won the quarter 23-17. This gave them a 35-32 lead heading into halftime.

The third quarter was tense. Nigeria trailed for most of the period. Yet, they found their rhythm late on, winning the quarter 21-18. This leveled the scores at 53-53 as they headed into the final quarter.

D’Tigers seemed poised to secure a win in the fourth quarter. They held the advantage for much of the final ten minutes. However, the momentum shifted in the closing stages. Omar Abada and Oussama Marnaoui combined to push Tunisia ahead 73-70. With just 15 seconds left, Okoye delivered a crucial finish. This brought Nigeria level and forced the game into overtime.

Overtime Heartbreak

Omar Abada proved decisive for Tunisia in the extra period. He recorded a game-high 29 points. His accuracy was key as Nigeria struggled to match the hosts’ late surge. Talib Zanna led Nigeria’s scoring with 22 points and added eight rebounds.

The Road Ahead for D’Tigers

The team’s focus now shifts to their upcoming fixtures. D’Tigers will face Guinea on Saturday. This match already feels crucial for their qualification hopes. Rwanda awaits them on Sunday. All four teams will then return for the second phase in July 2026.

Understanding the Qualification Path

The top three teams from each group will advance to the next stage. This phase will feature twelve teams divided into two groups of six. Results from the first phase will carry over into this stage. Ultimately, only the top two teams from each final group, plus the strongest third-placed side, will earn tickets to the 2027 World Cup.

Pressure to Reclaim Standing

Nigeria currently ranks eighth in FIBA’s African power rankings. There is significant pressure on D’Tigers to restore the national team’s former glory. Their last World Cup appearance was in 2019, where they exited in the first round. They failed to qualify for the 2023 edition.