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Nigeria closed the final 4:42 on a decisive 16-5 run to claim a dramatic 81-84 win over Tunisia on Thursday, July 2, at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda. It was a Group C game of the 1st Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers.
In a game defined by razor-thin margins, nine lead changes, and quarter-by-quarter swings, Nigeria’s late-game execution proved the difference as they finished three points clear. Tunisia led for long stretches, but Nigeria’s composure down the stretch sealed the deal.
It was the first game for Nigeria’s new coach, David Fizdale.
Turning Point
The pivotal moment arrived with 3:27 left in the fourth quarter, when forward Chimezie Metu knocked down a three-pointer to flip a 73-72 deficit into a 75-73 Nigeria lead. That shot marked the final lead change of a tightly contested game and set the stage for Nigeria’s closing surge.
From 4:08 to 2:30 in the final quarter, Nigeria went a perfect 3-of-3 from the field, including two triples, while Tunisia managed only two free throws and missed their lone field-goal attempt. That burst gave Nigeria the platform to put this game to bed.
Game Heroes
Metu led the way for Nigeria with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists in 24:14, posting an efficiency of 17 on 6-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-7 from deep. His inside-out scoring provided a steady option, and he added 6 crucial points in crunch time.
Guard Ike Iroegbu matched him with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals in 25:54, going 9-of-11 from the line and delivering a decisive late burst. Wes Iwundu contributed 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Uche Iroegbu came off the bench to score 13 points with an efficiency of 13 and a team-best +11 plus/minus.
On the other side, Tunisia’s Omar Abada finished with a game-high 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists, adding an efficiency of 24 and a +4 plus/minus.
Runs
Tunisia opened with the game’s biggest early run, a 7-0 burst in the first quarter that moved the score from 0-0 to 7-0. Firas Lahiani sparked the run with 5 points on two field goals and added 2 rebounds.
Nigeria’s biggest run came late in the fourth, an 8-0 surge over 1:26 that turned a 73-70 deficit into a 73-78 lead. Ike Iroegbu and Metu scored 3 points each during that sequence, with Iroegbu also grabbing a rebound.
Lead Changes
There were nine lead changes in the game, with the first coming at 0:51 remaining in the opening quarter and the last at 3:27 left in the fourth. The contest was in the balance throughout.
Biggest Leads
Tunisia held the largest lead of the game at 8 points, 41-33, with 3:55 remaining in the second quarter. Nigeria’s biggest advantage was 6 points, reached twice in the fourth quarter: at 1:40 for a 76-82 lead and again at 1:10 for 78-84.
Nigeria’s late surge was fueled by 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc and 5-of-6 accuracy from the line, while Tunisia struggled at the stripe and managed only one field goal from deep during crunch time.
Courtesy: FIBA report
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