In the opening round of Group A of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification in Rwanda on Friday, Nigeria’s D’Tigers were defeated by Cape Verde 79-70.
The first round qualifiers, which began in November 2021, are continuing with this round.
Cape Verde has now defeated D’Tigers twice in the qualification series.
In their first encounter in Angola in 2021, Cape Verde defeated D’Tigers 79-71.
And in the match on Friday, Cape Verde gained control in the second quarter, 25-11, to take a 39-26 point lead into halftime after winning the opening quarter 15-14.
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Despite a valiant attempt in the second half, the D’Tigers’ performance in the second quarter cost the team the game, 21-17, 17-17 points.
For the D’Tigers, Ikenna Ndugba and Christian Mekowulu scored the most points, followed by Uchenna Iroegbu with 12 points.
Watch D’Tigers Vs Cape Verde FIBA World Qualifier
Benjamin Emelogu had four, compared to Mekowulu’s thirteen rebounds.
Unfortunately, Chimezie Metu’s double-double effort of 10 points and 10 rebounds wasn’t enough to give the D’Tigers the victory.
Cape Verde leads Group A after four rounds of play with six points, followed by D’Tigers with six points.
Cape Verde leads Group A after four rounds of play with six points, followed by D’Tigers with six points.
Mali is in fourth place with five points, while Uganda is in third with six points.
When D’Tigers play Mali tomorrow, they’ll be looking to make up for their loss against Cape Verde (Saturday).
The five African teams who will compete in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10 will be determined through the qualifiers.