Wake-Up Call! Tunisia stab national pride: Will Nigeria’s Super Eagles be next to fall?

Nigeria's national men’s basketball team D'Tigers suffered a heartbreaking overtime defeat to Tunisia in their 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifier opener, igniting fears that the Carthage Eagles could inflict similar pain on the Super Eagles at AFCON 2025. 

The basketball loss, ending 88-78 after a tied 73-73 regulation on Thursday night, serves as a stark warning ahead of the football rivalry in Group C.​

D'Tigers led by three in the first quarter but trailed 35-32 at halftime, with Captain Stanley Okoye rallying the side. 

Post-break exchanges saw momentum swings, an 8-0 Tunisian run followed by Nigeria's reply to lead 48-47, before a tied third quarter at 53-53. 

Nigeria held a four-point edge late in the fourth but capitulated in overtime, allowing Tunisia to seal a ten-point victory.​

Nigerian supporters vented frustration online, drawing direct lines to football woes. One lamented, “10 points loss? This one is a lot oooo,” capturing the raw disappointment of the collapse. 

Another warned, “Na so our men football team start and we know how far e end! No world cup!! Now our basketball team has started their own World Cup qualifiers on a losing note. This is the worst time to be a sports lover in Nigeria,” highlighting recurring national team struggles. 

A third pleaded, “We ain't disappointed...nothing is working, just make sure you don't do that play-off shit like Super Eagles. If you want to qualify, do it and if not just do it. Don't make us go through that heart aches again abeg,” urging D'Tigers to avoid the Super Eagles' qualification heartbreaks.​

The Super Eagles must heed this North African rivalry alert as AFCON 2025 looms, ensuring defensive steel prevents a repeat script.