Cameroon moved to the top of Group E in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African qualifiers with a 78-62 win over Nigeria in Radès, leaning on a defensive game plan that held the D'Tigers to 18 points or fewer in every quarter. The result improved Cameroon's record to 6-1.
Coach Alfred Aboya instructed his players to shut down the lane and force contested three-pointers, a strategy that worked despite Nigeria still grabbing 30 offensive rebounds. Inside, Yves Missi was unstoppable, finishing with a game-high 24 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Nigeria managed only 14 points in the opening quarter and never recovered their rhythm.
"We watched Nigeria from the last window, and we knew where they were dangerous; we knew they are dangerous in transition, one-on-one, and offensive rebounding. The game plan was to control that, and we did for the most part," Aboya said.
Nigeria coach David Fizdale blamed poor shooting. "I would have never anticipated us shooting the ball that poorly. You have got to give them credit; they did a great job defending us and executing their game plan," he said. Caleb Agada pointed to Nigeria's reliance on outside shots as the decisive factor.
Nigeria face Africa's top-ranked South Sudan on Friday, while Cameroon take on hosts Tunisia.
