By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s men basketball national team, D’Tigers, suffered their second consecutive defeat at the ongoing FIBA Pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Lagos, a poor performance that means the country will miss 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
D’Tigress won the first three quarters (17-15, 26-23, 18-15) but faltered massively in the 4th quarter (7-24), leaving Mali to claim the victory.
How The Cookies Went Crumbling
After falling to Senegal defeat, in their first group game and needed a win to keep hopes of qualification alive, the Nigerian side couldn’t hold on for victory against Mali as they fell 68-77 to their West African neighbours.
The Loss against Mali means Nigeria’s outing at the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Lagos has ended, with Senegal and Mail qualifying for the Semifinals.
Nigeria sits bottom of Group A with two points, while Mali tops the group level on points with Senegal but with a better point difference.
The Teranga Lions will face Mali on Wednesday to decide who finishes atop the standings.
Earlier in the day, Cameroon obliterated Guinea 104-74 to sit comfortably at the top of Group B with two points thanks to Fabian Quentin Ateba’s 27-point display.
The Central Africans will play three-time and reigning Afrobasket champion Tunisia on Wednesday.
