D’Tigers of Nigeria don suffer dia second straight defeat for di second round of di 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers on Friday, August 28, as dem lose 82-79 to South Sudan for Salle Multidisciplinaire de Radès for Tunisia. Di Bright Stars hold off late Nigerian fightback to seal di three-point win, and e don leave D’Tigers with tough work for dia push to qualify for di 2027 FIBA World Cup for Qatar.
South Sudan dominate di opening stages and dem produce 9-0 run late for first quarter, turning 15-14 deficit to 25-15 lead before dem enter second period 30-19 ahead. D’Tigers gradually find dia rhythm afta di break. Caleb Agada inspire 7-0 run towards di end of second quarter and inside di third, helping Nigeria turn 43-41 deficit to 48-43 lead wit 9:08 remaining for di third period.
Di Bright Stars refuse to let di advantage slip. Okogie level di score at 70-70 wit three-pointer wit 7:03 left afta South Sudan don edge ahead 70-67, but Wenyen Gabriel restore di lead for di Bright Stars 21 seconds later wit hook shot. Marial Shayok lead South Sudan wit 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Nuni Omot add 13 points and Carlik Jones record 11 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. Okogie top-score for Nigeria wit 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
Di defeat follow Nigeria 78-62 loss to Cameroon on Wednesday for dia opening game of di second round. D’Tigers now dey face Cape Verde on Sunday.
