Resilient D’Tigers Edge Guinea To Stay On Course For World Cup Ticket

Nigeria’s D’Tigers produced another remarkable comeback to edge Guinea 80-79 in a thrilling FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifier in Angola on Friday, with Caleb Agada starring by scoring a game-high 22 points.

The hard-fought victory came less than 24 hours after Nigeria’s dramatic fightback against Tunisia, further highlighting the team’s resilience despite a disrupted build-up caused by travel delays and limited preparation.

Having surrendered a late lead to a spirited Guinea side, D’Tigers kept their composure and dug deep to snatch victory in the closing moments, strengthening their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Assistant coach David Lawrence Vanterpool hailed the players’ character after overcoming yet another stern test.

“Our guys deserve so much credit,” Vanterpool said after the game.

“They have fought through not just tonight’s game or yesterday’s game, but everything leading into this tournament. Some players only arrived a day before the competition and we had just one training session together.”

Despite those challenges, Vanterpool said the squad’s determination proved decisive.

“You saw the heart and determination this team possesses. They stayed together, battled through frustration, recovered after Guinea took a one-point lead and found a way to win.

“I give enormous credit to the players for their heart, resilience, determination and unity.”

Agada, who led all scorers with 22 points, revealed that the players held a team-only meeting after Thursday’s victory over Tunisia to reset their focus ahead of the Guinea encounter.

“After yesterday’s game, we had a players-only meeting, as we always do,” Agada said.

“One of the main messages was to come out with energy and play with pride whenever we wear the Nigerian jersey. I felt locked in, the whole team felt locked in, and we showed that.”

Vanterpool also commended his side for executing the defensive game plan against a talented Guinea outfit.

“We knew their guards were outstanding players capable of scoring in different ways,” he said.

“Our players did an incredible job sticking to the game plan and limiting many of the things Guinea wanted to do. They made a run to get back into the game, but once again we responded with resilience, pride and determination.”

Agada admitted the team’s preparations had been far from ideal because of travel complications, but praised both the players and coaching staff for remaining focused.

“It isn’t the first time this has happened and it probably won’t be the last,” he said.

“But I give a lot of credit to the players and the coaching staff. Coach David Lawrence Vanterpool and the rest of the staff made our jobs much easier despite all the complications. I can’t say how grateful I am, and the rest of the team is, for everything they did.”

Vanterpool echoed those sentiments, insisting the squad’s fighting spirit remains its greatest strength.

“These players deserve tremendous credit,” he said.

“The resilience they continue to show is phenomenal. I couldn’t be prouder of their togetherness and the way they keep overcoming adversity.”

Agada summed up the team’s mentality with a message that has become the hallmark of D’Tigers’ campaign.

“Life isn’t necessarily about what happens to you; it’s about how you react to it,” he said.

“These guys react like champions.”

Despite successive comeback victories over Tunisia and Guinea, Vanterpool insisted the team remains fully focused on the task ahead.

“Our objective was to come here and win all three games, so the job isn’t finished,” he said.

“We’ll go back, prepare another game plan and I’m confident these players will execute it. When you have a group with this kind of heart, they’re incredibly difficult to beat because they simply refuse to give up.”

Agada also urged the team to keep looking forward.

“Whatever happened is behind us,” he said. “Now it’s time to move forward and achieve something special. We’re ready for that.”

He also paid tribute to Guinea for pushing Nigeria all the way.

“Credit to the Guinea team. They’re talented, well coached and fought until the very end. Credit to our players as well.”

Back-to-back comeback victories over Tunisia and Guinea have underlined D’Tigers’ resilience, unity and fighting spirit, keeping Nigeria firmly on course in the race for a place at the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.