Nigeria’s senior basketball team, D’Tigers, secured a crucial 75-70 victory over Libya in their Group B opener of the second qualifying window for the FIBA Afrobasket. The win in Tripoli keeps their hopes alive after a disappointing first window in February, where they failed to register a single victory.
Libya led 15-14 in the first quarter and extended their advantage to 35-32 at halftime after a 20-18 second-quarter performance. However, D’Tigers fought back, outscoring their opponents 20-16 in the third quarter and sealing the win with a 23-19 fourth-quarter display.
Caleb Agada led Nigeria’s charge with a double-double, scoring 14 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and adding six assists and two steals. Kaodirichi Akobundi-Ehiogu contributed nine points and nine rebounds, while team captain Ike Nwamu recorded seven points, six rebounds, and a game-high seven assists.
Despite Libya’s Basem Albebas posting a game-high 23 points and eight rebounds, his efforts weren’t enough to prevent Nigeria’s comeback.
D’Tigers remain at the bottom of Group B with a 1-3 record, having previously lost to Libya. They must win their remaining three games in this window to secure a spot at the Afrobasket tournament in Angola later this year. Up next, they face Uganda on Saturday and Cape Verde on Sunday.
