D’Tigers forward Morris Udeze has hailed his teammates’ composure and resilience after Nigeria battled past Rwanda in a tense 75–69 overtime win during the Qatar 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Udeze, who delivered a sensational 30-point performance in his debut appearance, said the victory came down to mental toughness and the ability to stay calm in high-pressure moments.
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Speaking after the game, Udeze admitted that Rwanda’s intensity caught many by surprise, but he praised Nigeria’s ability to keep their heads when the match headed into overtime.
“Our composure was everything. We stayed focused, we stayed locked in, and that’s why we came out with the win,” he said.
The powerful forward explained that once the game stretched beyond regulation time, the team had no choice but to dig deep. He said the players rallied behind each other, communicated better, and refused to panic despite Rwanda’s late surge.
“We dug deep. Everybody stayed resilient. We knew overtime was our moment to take control,” Udeze added.
His own performance was one of the brightest spots of the match. From attacking the rim to dominating inside the paint and hitting difficult shots under pressure, Udeze looked every bit the elite forward Nigeria has been searching for. He credited his teammates for putting him in good scoring positions throughout the matchup.
But beyond the points and the win, the 25-year-old said representing the country for the first time was the greatest honour of the night.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to play for Nigeria. I loved every second of it, and I’ll always be ready whenever I’m called upon,” he said proudly.
Udeze believes the experience of fighting through overtime will toughen the team as they progress in the qualifiers. He urged the squad to maintain the same grit and unity as they face tougher opponents in the next stage.
“Games like this test us — and prepare us for what’s ahead. We must keep this mentality,” he concluded.
For Nigeria, the win was crucial. For Udeze, it was a statement: He’s here, he’s ready, and he may just be D’Tigers’ next big star.
