After the first three games of the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria’s D’Tigers are already in a difficult situation with two defeats and one win, leaving them third in the group with three matches left to play in the first phase.
It all began with an 88-78 overtime defeat at the hands of hosts Tunisia last Thursday, before Guinea also secured their first-ever win over Nigeria, beating them 69-55 on Saturday.
Their only win was recorded in their most recent game against Rwanda.
Thanks to Morris Udeze’s 30 points – the highest by any player at window 1 of the qualifiers – Nigeria beat the Rwandans 75-69 in overtime to earn their first win.
Head coach Abdulrahman Mohammed admitted Udeze’s impact on the win.
‘I don’t want to take some of the credit away from other guys, but if he (Morris Udeze) wasn’t here, I don’t know where we would have been. We gave him a role, and he embraced it’, he told FIBA.
‘He’s the most gentleman I have ever coached at the national team. He is always committed, dedicated, and he is always ready. Every time he is on the floor, he gives everything he’s got. I would like to give him credit for today’s win. He’s been fantastic’.
Although they were unconvincing in the first round, they will hope to retain their third spot in Group C during the next window, which will be enough to see them through to the next round.
The top three teams from each group will progress to the second round, which will also be played next year.
The 12 teams will then compete across two groups of six, carrying forward all first-round results. Only the top two in each group and the best third-placed team will claim World Cup tickets.
The team currently stands eighth in FIBA’s African power rankings, and the federation has stressed that these qualifiers are crucial to restoring the status once enjoyed by the D’Tigers.
Their last World Cup appearance, in 2019, ended at the first round; Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2023 edition.
