Nigeria’s D’Tigers produced another spirited performance to defeat Guinea 80-79 in a pulsating 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers clash in Luanda, Angola, on Friday, making it back-to-back victories in the third qualification window, Trybal News reports.
Coming off Thursday’s impressive 84-81 win over Tunisia, the Nigerian side showed remarkable resilience once again, battling back from a six-point deficit at the end of the third quarter to stun the previously unbeaten Guineans in a dramatic finish.
Guinea looked set to maintain their perfect record after taking a 68-62 lead into the final quarter and holding a slender advantage in the closing moments. However, D’Tigers refused to surrender, executing a late comeback before Chimezie Metu scored the game-winning basket with just two seconds left on the clock to seal an 80-79 triumph.
The victory snapped Guinea’s unbeaten run in the qualifiers and, more importantly, secured Nigeria’s place in the second round of the African qualifiers. It marks a remarkable turnaround for D’Tigers, who entered the Luanda window needing strong results to keep their FIBA World Cup hopes alive.
Under head coach David Fizdale, Nigeria have rediscovered their winning form, recording consecutive victories over Tunisia and Guinea to revive their campaign in emphatic fashion.
D’Tigers will conclude the first phase of the qualifiers against Rwanda on Sunday, with qualification already assured and confidence soaring as they set their sights on the next stage of the race to the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.
