World Cup qualifiers: D’Tigers lose to Ivory Coast

D’Tigers lost 78-66 to Ivory Coast in their opening game in the fourth window of the ongoing FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

The Nigerians were outclassed by the unbeaten Ivorians propelled by the boisterous crowd at Sports Treichville in Abidjan on Friday.

Nigeria began with an ambition to leapfrog their fourth position in the group and finished the first quarter 14 all as Josh Okogie and Chimezie Metu led with 5 points each.

However, not even the brilliance of Chimezie Metu could hold Ivory Coast from peeling away from D’Tigers. They were over the Nigerians 42-36 by halftime.

The Ivorians did not relinquish their hold on the game as D’Tigers began to falter. Ivory Coast extended their lead in the third quarter to 60-52.

The final quarter was all Ivory Coast as they secured a 12-point victory over Nigeria to continue their unblemished run in the qualification series.

Okogie led the Nigerians with 23 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Metu with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

D’Tigers stay in fourth on the table in Group E after three losses in five games.

Nigeria faces Guinea on August 27 before squaring up with Angola a day later.

Only the top two teams from the group will book automatic tickets to the FIBA 2023 World Cup billed for Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines between August 25 and September 10 next year.