Nigeria was lucky to win as the Ivory Coast had 2 clear shots to win this game at the end.

A win is better than a loss though, and we should go ahead and win this group now, as Ivory Coast is probably the toughest opposition here.

It will be tough to see the team get past the Semi finals though. I'm not sure this team can get past Senegal, Angola or Tunisia.

Really sad, because ego and politics from people that eat from the game and give little back have ruined a great opportunity for us to consolidate on 2015.

Normally, not more than 3 players from this team should be part of a final 12 for Nigeria. I wish us the best though.

I hope I'm wrong, but it will be difficult for th eteam we have out there to get past the Semis.

Day 2 highlights:

Senegal still showing that it is their tournament to lose as they demolished Egypt 87-52.

Morocco get a surprising 60-53 win over Senegal. I didn't see it, but I hope the Angolans are not playing to get out of Dakar (avoid Senegal before the finals)

Nigeria had more balanced scoring in the 90-67 win over Mali. D'Tigers won every quarter and opened the game up in the 2nd half and did not let Mali get back into it. Free throw shooting is still a concern though. We left 8 points on the floor vs. Mali. It could be a difference in a close game. Nigeria also had 25 turnovers in the game. Much higher than the 11 in the game vs Ivory Coast. We need to take better care of the ball.

Top performers vs Mali

Ike Nwamu 22 points, 2 rebounds

Ike Ireoegbu 18 points, 9 rebounds

Bryant Mbamalu 17 points, 2 rebounds

Ike Diogu 15 points, 4 rebounds

Ayo Akindele 10 rebounds, 3 blocks

Highlights


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Tl3DRs1ifU

More


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBz7_WJW5Os

1st game


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6_EMrkvqtY

Ngr 30 : congo 25 2nd qtr

2nd Quarter. Currently 32-25 vs DRC

Nigeria had a chance to open up a big lead at the end of the 1st quarter, but Congo scored 6 quick points to close it 20-16

2nd qtr: Ngr 34 : Congo 27

End of 2nd Qtr Ngr 37 : Congo 34....

Wow. Such a close game

Thanks for the updates

Halftime 37-34 Nigeria.

A repeat of the first quarter. Nigeria jumps out to a big lead, but allows DRC to close in towards the end of the quarter.

Ike Diogu has seen limited action due to foul trouble, but still leads with 14 points.

If we settle down and play good defence, D'Tigers should win this by double digits.

Update please

End of 3 rd qtr: Ngr 55 : Congo 52....however...i must say we are not handling the ball well at all......

carbonado:
End of 3 rd qtr: Ngr 55 : Congo 52....however...i must say we are not handling the ball well at all......

Thanks my Bro. The congolese are equally a good side

This tiger are not as superb as the tigress.i don't think they can defend the title.

Nigeria playing like they are pregnant......

About to lose!

Not when I put money on them.

I should have just picked my +15.5 handicap for Congo but waa thinking they had woken up after the beating they gave Mali yesterday.

I don't think we will win this game

Haven't they lost already?

happen2:
I don't think we will win this game

Congo 83 : Ngr 77.....Nigeria...have not qualified yet ....we wait for the result of tonight.......

When you expect them to so well, they come with their useless attitude. You can't even best Congo, yet wants to beat Senegal, Tunisia and even Angola?

Only 2 will qualify for FIBA world.

excel101:
Thanks my Bro. The congolese are equally a good side

yeah...they are good....but would not have stood a chance against the class of 2015...it sad that in Africa...we still play dirty politics and put personal interest above our country.....imagine if we had the Aminu brothers..seni lawal, be uzor, oguchi...smh......infact they should come home..they have tried.....because if we face a senegal this way....hmmmmmm.......

WHY were these names dropped? Any idea cos you made it sound like it was a political move.

carbonado:
yeah...they are good....but would not have stood a chance against the class of 2015...it sad that in Africa...we still play dirty politics and put personal interest above our country.....imagine if we had the Aminu brothers..seni lawal, be uzor, oguchi...smh......infact they should come home..they have tried.....because if we face a senegal this way....hmmmmmm.......

somehow:
When you expect them to so well, they come with their useless attitude. You can't even best Congo, yet wants to beat Senegal, Tunisia and even Angola?

Only 2 will qualify for FIBA world.

From the first game we played...i had a reservation about we defending the tittle....as i so little or no team cohesion...no real...bond.....The truth is they can not do beyond their capacity.....we have better players out there.....but of-course,some men with big belle will just be in one office and be doing nonse....in the first place how will you impose on the coach that he must take 6 home players.....trying to shy away from their own work which is suppose to make the league a great one....nonsense.....with this attitude we are back to square one...because the truth is...we have to start again, this guys are not good enough...and i am not sure the former team players will want to come back to play for D'tigers.....

carbonado:
yeah...they are good....but would not have stood a chance against the class of 2015...it sad that in Africa...we still play dirty politics and put personal interest above our country.....imagine if we had the Aminu brothers..seni lawal, be uzor, oguchi...smh......infact they should come home..they have tried.....because if we face a senegal this way....hmmmmmm.......

I agree with you totally...this is a total resemblance of what happens in our society.
Sentiments wouldn't take us far but merits...

Hmm, 6 home based players even if they're not good enough? That's some screwed up policy. You don't force players on a coach, a good player remains a good player irrespective of where they play.

Within African basketball league, how many times has our home based clubs done well? Apart from Kano pillars, none can raise their head in African club basketball.

carbonado:
From the first game we played...i had a reservation about we defending the tittle....as i so little or no team cohesion...no real...bond.....The truth is they can not do beyond their capacity.....we have better players out there.....but of-course,some men with big belle will just be in one office and be doing nonse....in the first place how will you impose on the coach that he must take 6 home players.....trying to shy away from their own work which is suppose to make the league a great one....nonsense.....with this attitude we are back to square one...because the truth is...we have to start again, this guys are not good enough...and i am not sure the former team players will want to come back to play for D'tigers.....

I don't think this is about sentiment, its more on trying to push what's not ripe to the market before its time.

Famocious:


I agree with you totally...this is a total resemblance of what happens in our society.
Sentiments wouldn't take us far but merits...

somehow:
I don't think this is about sentiment, its more on trying to push what's not ripe to the market before its time.

....here is the thing.....our league is a mess...until we do the needful...we should just forget about pushing for such numbers on the roster of D'tigers...if you pick 1 or 2 fine.....more than that we a re just waisting the spot.....which we most likely be punished for....infact i wish the afrobasket for the women has not ended self.....that is what you call a team.....not this....

Yes, thats what I hate. Why push up to 6 players?

carbonado:
....here is the thing.....our league is mess...until we do the needful...we should just forget about pushing for such numbers on the roster of D'tigers...if you pick 1 or 2 fine.....more than that we a re just waisting the spot.....which we most likely be punished for....infact i wish the afrobasket for the women has not ended self.....that is what you call a team.....not this....

somehow:
When you expect them to so well, they come with their useless attitude. You can't even best Congo, yet wants to beat Senegal, Tunisia and even Angola?

Only 2 will qualify for FIBA world.

This tournament is not a World Cup qualifying competition.
There will be a separate WCQ tournament that will start next year and end in 2019. In fact, 5 African teams will be at the World Cup.