The DTigers lost to Tunisia 88-78 in overtime during their FIBA World Cup African qualifying opener, a game that was close until the end of regulation. Nigeria’s turnovers proved very costly, ultimately deciding the outcome, as the hosts took full advantage for a vital group win.
Last Updated on
November 28, 2025
Nigeria's DTigers missed out on an opening-day victory at the FIBA African World Cup Qualifiers in Rades, as they were beaten by former AfroBasket champions Tunisia 78-88, with the North African nation leveraging their home-court advantage to pull away in overtime and secure a vital Group win.
The Coach Abdulrahman-led team kept pace for much of the contest. Still, it ultimately could not contain Tunisia's offensive firepower down the stretch, as they showed some early fight, matching the Tunisians basket-for-basket in a high-intensity first half that saw the West Africans lead by three points after the opening quarter, closing out at 15-12.
If the opening period was a test of discipline, the second quarter was more of a chess match as Tunisia responded with more control of the glass and countered with trademark ball movement and perimeter flair, winning the quarter 23-17 and ultimately leading at halftime by three points (35-32) with the game still delicately poised.
The West Africans emerged stronger from the break, keeping the Tunisians under pressure and refusing to break despite the home support, and edged the penultimate quarter by three points, closing out with a 21-18 win. What began as a tight, tactical contest evolved into a nerve-jangling fourth-quarter shootout, with just seconds left on the clock for both teams.
The fans were left in a tense atmosphere, Nigeria forcing a 72-72 deadlock with just seconds left and eventually pushing the game into overtime. For a brief moment, it felt like DTigers had seized the emotional edge, but basketball, as always, is a game of margins, and the hosts showed that they own the extras.
In overtime, the hosts delivered a devastating 15–5 run, capitalising on Nigerian turnovers, fatigue and defensive breakdowns that hadn’t existed all game. Omar Abada, who led the all scorers chart, finished with a commanding 29 points and four points, took complete control of the floor, orchestrating Tunisia’s offence with brilliant calm.
Oussama Marnaoui, who also posted 25 points and grabbed five rebounds, provided the knockout punches, while Tunisia’s disciplined ball pressure turned Nigeria’s miscues into transition daggers.
In Nigeria, they controlled the boards, outrebounding Tunisia 59-40, with Talib Zanna leading the way with 22 points and eight rebounds.
However, the team committed 25 turnovers, a factor that ultimately decided the game, with Tunisia taking full advantage, outscoring them 27-3 on points off turnovers, and the North Africans also dominating in transition, scoring 29 fast-break points against Nigeria's 13. Nigeria, though, found some little success with a 17-14 advantage in second-chance points and a 32-24 advantage in points in the paint.
Tunisia's victory was as much about composure as it was about execution. They hit timely threes, won the battle of poise, and protected the ball when it mattered most. Nigeria, though showing admirable fight and flashes of brilliance, will look back at overtime as a case study in missed opportunities.
As both teams now shift their focus to the remaining qualification windows, the message is clear: the margins are thin, the stakes are high, and every possession counts.
For Nigeria, they've got to clean up their ball-handling before the next game, as the path ahead demands sharper execution and sustained composure. For Tunisia, the win reaffirms their place as a top side and their home fans made sure the continent felt it.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
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