Nigeria's D'Tigers set to begin World Cup quest in Tunis

By Maxwell Kumoye 
 

Nigeria’s D’Tigers are locked, loaded, and heading to Tunis with a mission, tip off their road to the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup with a statement performance.

Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed has named a fiery 12-man roster for the first window of qualifiers, which tip off, 27 November, in the Tunisian capital. 

The Nigeria Basketball Federation confirmed the squad’s departure plans, as anticipation builds for a decisive opening campaign.

Leading the charge is former Afrobasket captain Ike Nwamu, returning as the emotional spark of the team. Joining him are seasoned guards Stan Okoye and Mike Nuga, while shot-blocking specialist Christopher Obekpa anchors the frontcourt with his trademark defensive presence.

Coach Mohammed is also banking on a balanced mix of experience and homegrown hunger, adding three domestic talents to inject energy and competition into the roster.

D’TIGERS' ROSTER:

• Olisa Akonobi
• Paul Dibal
• Chingka Garba
• Morris Udeze
• Mike Nuga
• Ike Nwamu
• Christopher Obekpa
• Jordan Ogundiran
• Augustine Okafor
• Stan Okoye
• Ugo Simon
 Talib Zanna

Nigeria begins its Group C charge against hosts Tunisia on 27 November, a showdown already circled as a tone-setter. Up next is Guinea on 29 November, before closing the window against Rwanda on 30 November.

But this is just the beginning. The qualifiers will repeat next year, and the stakes rise even higher. 

The top three teams from each group will merge into new pools of six, carrying over their early records. In that final phase, each nation plays six more games, no rematches, no hiding places.

When the dust settles, only five African teams will punch their tickets to the 2027 World Cup in Doha, Qatar.

For D’Tigers, the mission is clear, start strong, stay sharp, and bring Nigeria back to the global stage where they belong.

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