D’Tigers head coach David Fizdale has remained optimistic about Nigeria’s chances of turning around their fortunes despite suffering consecutive defeats in the second round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers.
Nigeria opened the latest qualifying window with a disappointing 78-62 defeat to Cameroon on Thursday before suffering another setback less than 24 hours later, losing 82-79 to South Sudan in a tightly contested encounter in Radès, Tunisia.
The back-to-back defeats have placed D’Tigers under significant pressure in Group E, with Nigeria now sitting fifth with a 4-4 record, according to the latest standings.
Fizdale, however, believes his team showed enough against Cameroon to suggest that improvement is possible, despite the disappointing final score.
“We had a good game,” Fizdale said after the defeat to Cameroon.
The American coach lamented Nigeria’s inability to convert enough of its opportunities, pointing out that D’Tigers actually created more shooting opportunities but failed to make them count.
“Our inability to score more points despite having more shots proved costly,” he said.
Nigeria struggled from beyond the arc against Cameroon, making just seven of 34 attempts from three-point range as the Central Africans gradually took control of the contest. Cameroon won the opening quarter 23-14 and maintained their advantage throughout the game.
Fizdale nevertheless praised Cameroon for executing its game plan effectively, particularly in limiting Nigeria’s offensive rhythm.
“Cameroon had a game plan to stifle us,” he said.
Yves Missi was at the heart of Cameroon’s performance, finishing with 24 points, nine rebounds and four blocks as Nigeria struggled to contain the Central Africans.
The defeat immediately placed greater importance on Nigeria’s second game against South Sudan, but the Bright Stars eventually compounded D’Tigers’ problems by edging them 82-79.
Nigeria fought back from an 11-point deficit and briefly took control during the third quarter, but South Sudan recovered in the closing stages to secure the three-point victory.
Josh Okogie led Nigeria with 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Chima Moneke contributed 16 points. South Sudan were inspired by Marial Shayok, who finished with 19 points, while Carlik Jones produced 11 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds.
The result means D’Tigers are now facing a serious fight to remain in contention for one of Africa’s five tickets to the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.
Nigeria will have one more opportunity to rescue the current qualifying window when they face Cape Verde on Sunday, August 30.
That match has now become critical for Fizdale and his players. A victory would keep Nigeria’s qualification hopes alive and provide some much-needed momentum heading into the final qualifying window in February 2027.
Fizdale had entered the window with confidence after Nigeria went unbeaten in the previous qualifying round, but the defeats to Cameroon and South Sudan have exposed the fine margins involved at this stage of the competition.
The D’Tigers coach now faces the task of lifting his players mentally while addressing the offensive problems that have contributed to the two losses.
Despite the setbacks, the qualification race is not over.
Nigeria still has a route to the World Cup, but the margin for error has become extremely thin.
For Fizdale, the challenge is now clear: turn the disappointment into a response against Cape Verde, restore Nigeria’s confidence and keep the World Cup dream alive.
