In Wednesday’s match, youngster Iroegbu continued from where he stopped in the first phase of the qualifiers as he contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists to D’Tigers’ victory.
South Sudan’s Nuni Omot was on rampage all through the night scoring 27 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block but his efforts were not enough to save his team from defeat.
Although the D’Tigers convincingly picked the first quarter 18-9, South Sudan stormed back to take the second quarter 21-20.
D’Tigers then replied by taking the third by a single point as it ended 18-19 but it was the Sudanese who ended the stronger of the two as they won the fourth quarter 22-18 points to ensure the four quarters were shared equally.
Nigeria men’s basketball team, D’Tigers have become the first team to qualify for the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket Championship.
The one-time African champions secured their ticket after defeating South Sudan 75-70pts in the qualifiers on Wednesday evening in Monsatir, Tunisia.
D’Tigers avoided a last minute scare against a physically imposing opposition as back to back treys from Obi Emegano stretched D’Tigers’ lead to five after South Sudan opened a one gap lead in the dying minutes of the game.
Currently ranked number one in Africa, the Mfon Udofia-led side held their head high to grind out a well-deserved win, 18-9, 20-21, 19-18, 18-21 in the four quarters.
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.