D’Tigers announce 12-man squad for FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Tunisia
Nigeria prepares for crucial FIBA World Cup qualifiers
D’Tigers, Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, have announced a 12-man squad for the upcoming fourth window of the 2027 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers. Head coach David Fizdale will lead the team as they regroup in Tunisia later this month for a critical phase of the African qualifying campaign. The roster combines experienced international players with returning talents, aiming to secure a spot at the World Cup in Qatar.
The selected squad includes Chimezie Metu, Josh Okogie, Caleb Agada, Stan Okoye, Chima Moneke, Ike Nwamu, Udoka Azubuike, Efe Abogidi, Ebuka Izundu, Manny Obaseki, Jordan Ogundiran, and Michael Efevberha. Coach Fizdale will be supported by an experienced coaching staff comprising Dan Craig, Quinton Crawford, former D’Tigers captain Deji Akindele, and Dapo Adegbile.
A notable inclusion in the squad is Chima Moneke, who is set to make his first appearance for Nigeria in an official senior international match since the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers in February 2021. Moneke, a star for Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet, had been part of preliminary squads for major competitions, including the Tokyo Olympics, but had not featured in an official game since then. His return is a significant talking point surrounding the team.
Another key player making his senior international debut is Ebuka Izundu, who is also a teammate of Moneke at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet. The squad also features former NBA talent such as Josh Okogie, a guard for the Utah Jazz, known for his defensive presence. Former NBA big men Udoka Azubuike and Chimezie Metu are expected to provide power and experience in the frontcourt, complementing a versatile rotation of seasoned players.
The road to Qatar: Group E challenges
Nigeria is among the 12 teams that advanced to the second round of the African qualifiers, having progressed through the opening three windows held in November 2025, February 2026, and July 2026. The second phase of the qualifiers is anticipated to bring increased pressure, as teams carry their results from the first round into this next stage, making every subsequent game crucial for World Cup qualification.
D’Tigers have been drawn into a group that includes Cameroon, South Sudan, Guinea, hosts Tunisia, and Cape Verde. The team enters this phase with a 4–2 record from the previous phase, currently tied with South Sudan, Guinea, and Tunisia in Group E of the Africa Qualifiers. Cameroon currently leads the standings with a 5-1 record, while Cape Verde follows with a 3-3 record.
The upcoming window in Rades, Tunisia, will see D’Tigers play three crucial matches. Their schedule begins on August 27 against Cameroon, followed by a match against South Sudan on August 28. Nigeria will conclude their fixtures for this window with a game against Cape Verde on August 30.
Qualification pathway and future windows
In this second round of qualifiers, each team will compete against the three sides that advanced from the other group. Two additional qualifying windows are scheduled for August 2026 and February 2027, providing further opportunities for teams to secure their World Cup berths. Coach Fizdale, appointed in May, has assembled a high-caliber lineup to navigate this complex qualification scenario.
At the conclusion of the six additional games in this phase, the top two teams from each group will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Additionally, the best third-placed team across both remaining qualifying pools will also earn a spot in the tournament. The final qualifying window is set for February 2027, with a total of five African teams expected to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
For D’Tigers, the immediate goal is to achieve a strong start in Tunisia to establish a favorable position in what is expected to be a highly competitive race for the continent’s World Cup tickets. The stakes are significant, as only the top two countries will secure an automatic berth to the final stage next summer in Qatar.
Source: premiumtimesng.com
