D’Tigers increased their chances of featuring at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo after defeating West African neighbours Ivory Coast 83-66 in their qualification playoffs on Friday at the ongoing FIBA World Cup in China.
The Nigerian team dominated the first quarter from the tipoff, taking the game 24-18, but took their foot off the gas in the second quarter as the Ivorians took advantage piping D’Tigers 17-13 but Nigeria took a slim lead into half time 37-35.
D’Tigers took back control of the game in the third quarter winning 26-11 while the final quarter ended 20-20 to take the game to 83-66 final score.
Point guard Vincent Nnamdi finished the game as Nigeria’s top scorer with 15 points while Al-FarouqAminu amassed 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Center Ekpe Udoh had 13 points, and five rebounds while Stanley Okoye and Ben Uzoh had 10 points apiece.
Nigeria with two wins are in pole position to pick the automatic African ticket should they defeat hosts China in the second classification round on Sunday while Tunisia is billed to play Montenegro.