FIBA W’Cup: D’Tigers beat S’Korea to keep Tokyo Olympics hopes alive

Nigeria men’s Basketball team, D’Tigers picked up their first win at the ongoing FIBA World Cup in China at the Wuhan Sports Centre on Wednesday.

Having lost their opening group games against Russia and Argentina, D’Tigers put up a brilliant performance in their final group game against South Korea.

The Alex Nwora boys defeated the Asians 108-66 while Tunisia lost 64-67 to Puerto Rico in another World Cup group encounter.

The result means Nigeria are currently ahead of other African countries in points, and it keeps D’Tigers’ hopes alive of qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

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Nigeria started off well in Wednesday’s game, winning the first quarter 17-15 before ending the first half, 49-31.

D’Tigers went on to win the two quarters of the second half to seal a historic victory against the Asians.

The 42-point win became the highest margin of victory for Nigeria against a non-African opponent in the team’s history.

The highest-ranked African team at the end of the classification games – 17th to 32nd – will clinch the automatic ticket for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

D’Tigers will face Ivory Coast next.

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