Nigeria's uphill battle for a FIBA World Cup ticket
- Victor Komonibo
- Sep 14, 2022
- 2 min read
A 3-4 record going into the last window of the FIBA world cup qualifiers isn’t what we’d expect from Nigeria.
Unfortunately, the Giants of Africa find themselves in an uncomfortable situation.
D’Tigers started their campaign as one of the favorites to make it to the 2023 world cup, standing on top of the power rankings in November 2021 but right now, they’ve got a boatload to worry about.
The team has failed to show the same consistency we grew accustomed to and that brings to light the inadequate preparation, inconsistent lineups, coach’s unavailability, and off-court shenanigans. It’s now or never for them to make one final run for a ticket as the window is set to tip on February 24, 2023.
Qualification hopes are on the line
Nigeria sits in the 4th spot of Group E behind Cote d'Ivoire, Angola, and Cape Verde. Cote d'Ivoire sealed their spot in the completed window, leaving only 4 spots up for grabs.
According to FIBA, the top 2 teams from each group and the third-best team get to partake in the 19th edition of the tournament.
For Nigeria to qualify, a miracle and three wins in the final window is a must. A 6-4 record may be enough to do the trick if the basketball gods deem it fit.
The Miracle
For Nigeria to finish 2nd in Group E and qualify for the World cup
- Angola (5-2) and Cape Verde (4-3) lose all three games
For Nigeria to finish 3rd in Group E
- Cape Verde (4-3) loses at least two games
If D’Tigers fall to the third spot, their record will go up against the third-best team in Group F.
The Indonesia-Japan-Philippines showpiece has become a daunting task for the number one team in the continent, but there’s something about Nigerians and miracles.
DISCLAIMER: The analysis presented above was created only to provide context. It might differ slightly from the procedure taken by the governing body.
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