David Fizdale believes D’Tigers have pulled themselves back into the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification fight after Nigeria responded to a difficult window with a 100-84 victory over Cape Verde.
Nigeria needed a reaction and got one.
D’Tigers took control early, opening a 23-9 first-quarter advantage before carrying a 52-35 lead into half-time and eventually closing out a 16-point victory.
The result moved Nigeria to a 5-4 qualifying record with three games still to play.
For Fizdale, the win did more than stop the slide.
“We needed that win to stay in the fight and give ourselves a chance,” the Nigeria coach said after the game, adding that reaching five victories had left D’Tigers “within striking distance” of qualification.
That is where the pressure now sits.
Nigeria have not qualified, and the African World Cup race remains open. Five teams from the continent will reach the 2027 tournament in Qatar, with the remaining qualification battles carrying into the final window.
But D’Tigers have given themselves life.
Caleb Agada powered the victory with 26 points and six assists, hitting eight of his 11 attempts from three-point range.
Josh Okogie came close to a triple-double with 15 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists, while also registering four steals.
Ike Nwamu added 14 points and Efe Obogidi contributed 11 as Nigeria finally found the offensive rhythm that had been missing earlier in the window.
The shift was visible from deep.
D’Tigers shot 42.9 per cent from three-point range against Cape Verde and 49 per cent overall from the field. Nigeria never trailed and led by as many as 27 points.
For a team that entered the game under pressure, it was the kind of response Fizdale needed.
The victory does not erase the damage from the earlier defeats, but it keeps the route open.
Nigeria now have three qualifiers remaining to turn survival into qualification.
That leaves no room for another collapse.
D’Tigers have dragged themselves back into the fight.
The final window will determine whether that fight ends with a World Cup ticket or another Nigerian basketball opportunity slipping away.
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