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Published 20 February 2021
D’Tigers rounded off the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket Championship qualifiers with a 76-56 points win over Mali, who struggled to cope with the offensive firepower of the Nigerians.
The win, which saw the team finish top of Group B on a 6-0 run, was spearheaded by captain Ike Diogu, who posted a double-double performance with 20pts and 11 assists.
With a 42.9 field goal percentage and three made treys from seven attempted shots, Diogu ensured a smooth victory for the team, whose immediate focus will be the 2020 Olympics and AfroBasket preparations.
After back to back struggles against South Sudan and Rwanda, basketball fans across the continent saw a different team who extended their unbeaten run in competitive games to nine.
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’Tosin Oluwalowo
D’Tigers on Wednesday qualified for the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket in Kigali, Rwanda, after defeating a resilient South Sudan side 75-70 in their opening match of the second round of qualifiers in Monastir, Tunisia.
The Nigerians, captained by Ike Diogu, won all the four quarters, leading at the end of the first 18-9
They also went into half time with a 38-30 advantage and kept their lead in the third quarter at 57-48.
The South Sudanese, however, staged a comeback in the last quarter, and trailed by one point at a stage, but D’Tigers held their nerves to triumph 75-70.