Nigeria's D'Tigers edged Tunisia 84-81 on Thursday in a Group C clash of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers held in Luanda, Angola. The triumph gave head coach David Fizdale a winning debut in his first competitive outing with the squad.
D'Tigers dominated early, taking the opening quarter 23-21. Tunisia bounced back to win the second quarter 23-20, leaving the teams locked at halftime.
Nigeria seized control in the third, claiming it 21-19. The team held firm down the stretch, outscoring Tunisia 20-18 in the fourth to secure the narrow victory.
The win substantially improved D'Tigers' prospects of reaching the 2027 World Cup in Qatar. The team faces Guinea on Friday before taking on Rwanda on Sunday to conclude the qualifying window.
Back-to-back victories in those matches would significantly strengthen their qualification hopes, Fizdale's men will aim for maximum points.
