Nigeria will play 2019 champions DR Congo for a place in the semi-finals of the ongoing 2023 FIBA AfroCan on Thursday after they overcame Gabon 71-55 at Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda on Wednesday.
Although the D’Tigers began the competition brilliantly with a comfortable victory over Mali in their first game, they lost 57-48 to Angola in their final group game. The defeat cost them an automatic ticket to the quarter-finals.
They were then pitted against Gabon, another team that fell short in the group stage, in the classification game.
D’Tigers hustled to settle themselves early and managed an 18-18 scoreline in the first quarter, before taking control in the second quarter with a 43-32-point lead.
Despite Gabon’s charge in the third quarter, Nigeria extended the lead to 56-47 and blew their opposition out of the court in the final quarter to secure a 16-point victory.
Chinedu Chimbuo was the best performer for Nigeria, with nine points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
If D’Tigers progress against DR Congo, they will face the winners of the other quarter-final game.
