Nigeria’s male basketball team D’Tigers got their first win at the ongoing FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Benguela, Angola.
In a keenly contested affair, D’Tigers had to come from a four points deficit late in the fourth quarter to steal a 72-70 win over the Malians who won their first game against Uganda.
Jordan Ogundiran’s three-pointer late in the fourth quarter ensured that the team escaped back-to-back defeat in the group.
Team captain, Ike Diogu and Jordan Ogundiran were the star of the match for D’Tigers with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist and 19 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds respectively.
Christopher Obepka who had a massive block in the tail end of the South quarter and Ben Uzoh were also instrumental in the match.
Sidibe and Kanoute scored 17 and 13 points respectively for the Malians as they suffer their first defeat of the series.
The team will take on Uganda in their next match.