AFROBASKET QUALIFIERS: D’TIGERS LOSE 76-62 TO UGANDA IN SECOND GAME

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D’Tigers suffered back-to-back defeats at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers when they lost 76-62 to Uganda in their second game at the Salle Mohamed Mzali court in Monastir, Tunisia.

Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team had on Friday played out a humiliating overtime defeat to Libya who out-fought them to win 89-82 in the first qualifying game at the same venue.

With the Nigerian team arriving in Tunisia on gameday, it was perhaps not surprising that the D’Tigers were far from their best against a Libyan side, who had earned a shock win against Morocco on Tuesday.

However, the same excuse would not apply against Uganda in their second game as the D’Tigers continued their chase for a spot in the 2025 Afrobasket but fell 72-62 to Uganda in their second qualification game.

Just like in the first game, D’Tigers were down early with the score reading 12-7 after the end of the first quarter.

Uganda continued their dominance to take the second quarter 17-12 and take a 10-point lead to the halftime break. In a back-and-forth third quarter, Uganda edged Nigeria and finished on top 26-25 extending their lead to 11 points.

D’Tigers took the fourth quarter by just a point as it ended 17-18 but Uganda had already done more than enough for the win securing a ten-point gap.

Uganda’s best performer Robinson Opong secured a double-double as in 36 minutes he produced 39 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists to lead Uganda to the win.

Devine Chukwuemeke Eke was Nigeria’s best player and in 39 minutes produced 19 points, six rebounds, and seven assists to lead among the D’Tigers.

Meanwhile, D’Tigers head coach Mohamed Abdulrahman says fatigue has a lot to do with his side’s uninspiring display so far in Tunisia.

“Fatigue played a part (in the loss). These guys are pros, they have been in situations like this before, they are going to find a way to motivate themselves. It’s something I don’t think I have to worry about. They are committed to play and win for the country.

The biggest motivation is the high expectations from over two hundred million people back home who expect them not to come here and go 0-3. 1-2 is much better than 0-3,’ said Abdulrahman

However, Eke isn’t going for the fatigue excuse saying, “At the end of the day, no matter if it’s fatigue. We just need to play our game the correct way.”

D’Tigers will aim to wrap up the first round of qualifiers with a win when they take on Cape Verde on Sunday (today).