By Duro Ikhazuagbe
Nigeriaâs senior menâs basketball team, DâTigers, yesterday became the first team to qualify for the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket Championship after defeating South Sudan 75-70pts on a chilly evening in Monastir, Tunisia.
Although DâTigers had set their qualification for the continentâs prime competition on course with unbeaten run at the first phase of the qualifiers in Rwanda late last year, the the Sudanese gave the Nigerian stars a run for their money.
The Nigerian lads almost paid dearly for disrespecting the Sudanese with their arrogant play pattern.
The team avoided a last minute scare against a physically imposing opposition thanks to back-to-back threes from Obi Emegano to stretch DâTigers lead to 5 after the South Sudanese opened a one gap lead in the dying minutes of the game.