Nigeria's D'Tigers have been off to a rough start in the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 qualifiers as the team suffered their first defeat in the hands of Libya in an overtime thriller.
D'Tigers of Nigeria had found a way back into the game in the 4th Quarter of the tie but late points from the opposition saw Libya take the first game of the qualifiers into overtime and win by a 7-point margin with a score line of 82-89.
Libya defeated Nigeria in the opening game of the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 qualifiers on the country's return to the game for the first time since 2009.
With little or no preparation for the Nigerian squad who had just nine players available for the game after a long struggle to secure funds for their trip for the qualifiers, many expect D'Tigers to bring a better team as well as gameplay in their next fixture of the qualifiers.
Players like Eke, Bright, Daramola, and Nuga were influential and instrumental in picking up points and coming from behind to take the lead in the 4th quarter and send the game into overtime. Libya also fielded a strong side who were clinical with their three-pointers and their free throws as well as a solid defensive shape in the game as well
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Arrived today, no prep, 9 players available & still battled to overtime!
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) February 23, 2024
Tough one but great effort! @MichaelNuga with a great performance 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/33iUFXVX5F
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