FIBA U-16 African Championship: Nigeria manhandle Tunisia to reach semi-finals
The Young Tigers of Nigeria recorded a massive win over Tunisia in the quarter final stage of the FIBA U-16 African championship going on in Cape Verde on Friday, Bestchoicesports.com.ng understands
The boys who put up a sterling performance to lay strong claim to one of the four available semi-final tickets. They manhandled their North African counterparts by 86-36 points in a one sided game.
The Fubara Onyenabo guided Lads were in total control of the game from start to finish, winning all four quarters, 24-9, 17-10, 27-8, 18-9 in what was largely a one sided affair.
Joy Ighonodjia recorded a double-double performance with 22points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists to help the team move a step closer to securing the 2020 FIBA U-17 World Cup ticket
Farouq Isah ranked second on the scorers chat with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
Bormini Victor Dennis was the assist King with 6 to his name as well as 9 points while Reuben Abuchi Chinyelu weighed in with 15 rebounds and 6 points.
Fubara praised the boys for their discipline and readiness to play as instructed which has continued to see the team improve with each game.
“Despite an 8 man rotation, we have gotten this massive victory against Tunisia and also qualified for the semi-finals. I must commend the boys for doing exactly as instructed.”
The coach said “the ability to play as a team has been the bedrock of the youngsters’ wins”.
Nigeria Basketball Federation President, Engr. Musa Kida has commended the team for their resilience as he advised them to take it a game at a time.
“We should not get ahead of ourselves. We have to continue taking it one game at a time and see how far the team can go” the NBBF President stated.
The last time both side met was at the semi-finals stage of the 2015 edition which Nigeria won by 56-49 points.
Another win in the semi-finals will see the Nigerian U-16 team qualify for the U-17 World Cup in Bulgaria.
Since their opening defeat to Egypt, the young Tigers have send all their opponents to the cleaners .They are Host Cape Verde, Angola, Algeria and now Tunisia.
