Nigeria’s D’Tigers slipped to their second consecutive loss within the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers on Saturday, falling 69–55 to Guinea in a flat offensive outing that uncovered the staff’s early struggles within the marketing campaign.
Coming off a draining additional time defeat to Tunisia on Thursday, Nigeria’s D’Tigers by no means discovered their rhythm in Tunis as Guinea managed the sport from begin to end.
The Guineans imposed themselves instantly, taking the primary quarter 22–16 and tightening their grip with a disciplined 13–10 second-quarter run to open a nine-point halftime lead.
Nigeria tried to rally after the break, however Guinea’s robust defensive rotations and scientific ending ensured the momentum by no means shifted.
A 17–15 third quarter stored D’Tigers close by, however the West Africans closed out the ultimate body 17–14 to seal a deserved victory.
Ahead Mohamed Boum was Guinea’s standout performer, main all scorers with 21 factors, three rebounds and three assists in half-hour, capturing 7 of 14 from the ground.
He acquired robust help from Sekou Evans, who added 19 factors, 5 rebounds and three assists whereas taking over a hefty scoring load throughout 31 minutes.
Abdoulaye Sy contributed 10 factors and eight rebounds, asserting himself on each ends.
For Nigeria, Morris Udeze was once more one of many few vibrant sparks. The ahead produced a stable 16 factors and 9 rebounds, capturing effectively regardless of defensive strain.
Guard Jordan Ogundiran added 10 factors, three rebounds and 6 assists in 21 minutes, attempting to maintain the offence organised because the staff struggled to supply clear seems to be.
Stan Okoye, who delivered 9 factors within the Tunisia sport, managed 5 factors and 4 rebounds, whereas Mike Nuga additionally had 5 factors however shot 2 of 11 as Nigeria endured one other low-efficiency evening.
The bench supplied little resistance, with factors coming in small bursts from Peter Dibal (6 pts) and Ugo Simon (5 pts).
D’Tigers’ offensive woes have been evident all through the encounter. They failed to achieve 20 factors in any quarter, repeatedly giving up possessions by rushed pictures and turnovers.
Their 55-point whole is without doubt one of the lowest Nigeria has recorded in a World Cup qualifying sport in recent times.
The loss deepens Nigeria’s problem in Group C, coming instantly after the slim 88–78 additional time defeat to Tunisia—a sport that ended 73–73 in regulation earlier than the hosts pulled away in further time.
With outcomes carrying over into the subsequent qualification window, Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed’s facet should regroup rapidly forward of their remaining fixtures.
Solely 5 African groups will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Doha, leaving D’Tigers with pressing work to do after a troublesome begin.
