AfroBasket: Nigeria dethrones Angola, qualify for 2016 Olympics

In from Nifemi Daniel …

Nigeria senior basketball team, the D’Tigers, have emerged champions of the 2015 AfroBasket championship after beating defending champions, Angola 74-65 in the final on Sunday in Rades, Tunisia.

It’s the first time Nigerian team will win the FIBA African Basketball Championship.

Having lost twice to the Angola in previous finals, Nigeria got her revenge and also qualifies directly for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, while Angola, Tunisia and Senegal should take part in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

It will be the second Olympic appearance for Nigeria’s men’s team after the first showing at the London 2012 Olympics.

The team defeated Angola with a 74-65 points.

Before Sunday’s final Nigeria has never beaten Angola in nine meetings dating back to 1987.

The defending champions took the first quarter 13 points to 11 points but Nigeria bounced  back and dominated the second quarter 27 points to 11 points.

The third quarter was also a close contest between two sides but in the end Nigeria slightly edged out the former champion with 14 to 12 points.

 

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