Nigeria edge out Angola in FIBA Boys U-18 Afrobasket championship
Isaac Ezekiel recorded 21 points to power Nigeria’s Junior DTigers to a 70-65 win over their Angolan opponents Saturday at FIBA U-18 Afrobasket for boys and girls in South Africa
The Nigerian boys were under pressure to rebound from their opening day loss to Egypt as they faced the Angolans.
In a bid to register their first win in the tournament, the Fubara Onyanabo tutored boys struggled to find their rhythm, but managed to eke out 20-18 1st quarter advantage.
Top scorer Ezekiel took over matters in the second period with some hustle play, rebounding, stealing and assisting, to help Nigeria to a 32-24 first half superiority.
The Angolans were not going to bow out without a fight as they showed fire and tenacity to edge the third quarter 25-15 and shot ahead with an overall score of 49-47.
The Nigerian youngster made three back to back shits downtown to halt any resurgence from the Angolans and earned Nigeria a tough 70-65 win.
The triumph is expected to settle nerves of the Nigerian boys who braved some logistical delays before arriving on match day to lose against Egypt in their tournament opener.
Up next for the 2nd placed Junior Tigers are Team Uganda on Tuesday in a Group B matchup.
In the women’s category, Nigeria’s Junior DTigress will target a second win as they play Uganda tomorrow, Sunday, 8 September in a Group C tie.
