D’Tigers head coach Alex Nwora has faulted his team’s inability to score enough points as a major reason their winning streak came to an end at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers in Abidjan reports Completesports.com.
Nwora’s side were without some key members of the team coupled with the limited time frame for preparation also Nwora reckoned that it was likely to be a tough journey.
D’Tigers finished in top spot in Group F and also in Africa despite losing two of their three final games in the qualifiers.
The 2017 Afrobasket finalist lost 76-42 to ‘Les Elephants’ of Cote d’Ivoire and 84-62 to the Senegal but they defeated Central Africa Republic 72-59.
“I know for sure that it’s not what we expected,”Nwora said in his post-match reaction.
“We came here to remain undefeated but as God will have it, we did not achieve that goal but we still finished top because of the previous window. We just had problems scoring and we also did not defend well, but I am proud of the guys.”
“Our scorers were unable to make it. We just had to get the guys that were available late and they gave their best.”
He however congratulated the team for a job well done describing it as mission accomplished after emerging as the winner of the African series.
“I am proud that we are still number 1 in Africa and also in our group.”
Nigeria and Senegal were tied on 22 points, but D’Tigers nicked the top spot with superior points difference of +7 against their arch rival who beat them 84-62 on Sunday.
Nigeria will be berthing in China as the winner of the FIBA World Cup African qualifiers zone with a superior points difference of +268 as against Tunisia had +264 in Group E.
