November, 26 2021.
The D'Tigers of Nigeria suffered a loss in their first game of the 2021 World cup qualifiers in Angola against 2021 Afrobasketball Semifinalists, Cape Verde 71-79.
Tutored by the duo of Julius Nwosu and Ogoh Odaudu, D'Tigers led by a point 35-34 at the end of the second quarter before opening a six point gap at the third quarter but Cape Verde turned the tide to eventually win.
Six D'Tigers’ players dropped a double double. They were led by Captain Ike Diogu (13pts, 8rebounds), Keith omerah (13pts, 5rebounds), Amanze Egekeze (12pts, 6rwbounds) together the returning Been Uzoh (11pts, 11 assists) and Tarekeyi Edogi (10pts, 6rebounds).
Anderson Correira was the capeverdians brightest spark to drop a game high of 15points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. He was followed by trio Joel Almeida (14pts, 7reboynds), Jeffrey Xavier (14points, 4 rebounds) and Ivan Almeida (13pts, 7rebounds & 3 steals).
With the outcome, Nigeria will have to win her remaining games starting on Tuesday against Mali, then Uganda to have a lifeline of playing in the second phase.