2023 FIBA AfroCAN: D’Tigers down Gabon to book quarterfinal slot

Nigeria’s D’Tigers overcame their counterparts from Gabon in the Classification Round to reach the last eight of the ongoing FIBA AfroCAN tournament in Luanda, Angola.

After starting the tournament with a win over Mali, the D’Tigers bowed to defeat at the hands of hosts Angola, forcing them to face Gabon for a place in the quarterfinals of the competition. The Nigerian boys did not disappoint, emerging with a 71-55 win from the game.

Both sides were evenly matched from the start of the game, and this was evident by the scoreline at the end of the first quarter which read 18-18. The D’Tigers pulled away in the second quarter, however, to open up a 43-32 lead by halftime.

The second half started with Gabon attempting to stage a fightback, and they reduced the deficit to nine points by the end of the third quarter, with Nigeria holding a 56-47 lead. D’Tigers showed their quality in the fourth quarter to finish off the game with a comfortable 71-55 win.

Ibe Agu led the scoring for Nigeria with 13 points and Kanyinsola Joseph scored 12 points, four rebounds and three assists. Martins Chimbuo scored nine points for the D’Tigers in the game, as well.

Nigeria will now face DR Congo in the last eight for a place in the semifinals. Both sides met in the 2019 edition of the tournament, with Congo claiming an 81-55 win over Nigeria en route to winning the tournament.