D'Tigers: Nigeria loses 61-59 to Kenya in AFROCAN classification game

Nigeria's senior men's national team, known as the D'Tigers suffered a 61-59 loss to their counterparts from Kenya on Friday, July 14, 2023.

The AfroCan, a men's basketball continental competition in Africa open to all players who play for basketball clubs based on the continent, was a test run for new players to shine against their peers.

D'Tigers lost to the Democratic Republic of Congo in an AFROCAN quarterfinal fixture.

D'Tigers, therefore, had to play against their counterparts from Kenya in a five to eight classification game.

At the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda, Kenya took the first quarter 20-13 to establish a seven-point lead.

In the second quarter, D'Tigers bounced back with an 18-13 margin, reducing the deficit to two points going to the halftime break.

D'Tigers took the third quarter 13-11 as the scores were tied with Kenya going to the closing stages.

Kenya were able to pull through with a 17-15 margin in the fourth quarter to take a two-point victory.

The AFROCAN is a massive step for Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu ahead of the upcoming FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament. 

The Group Phase is set for Lagos, Nigeria, as the D'Tigers are set to play in front of their home fans for the first time in a while. 

The D'Tigers are in group A and will face Mali, Uganda, and Senegal and hope to qualify for the 2024 Olympics after missing out on a spot at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.