Nigeria senior men’s national team, D’Tigers began their world cup qualifiers on a flying start beating hard fighting Ugandans 102-86 on Friday at the Palais Des Sports Salamatou Maiga in Mali.
Six players finished on double digits with Michael Efevberha and captain Ik Diogu combining for 39 points. Efevberha had 20 points 4 rebounds and six assists while Diogu added 19 points and 7 rebounds. Ben Uzoh who made a return to the team after missing out on the 2017 Afrobasket, scored 15 points, 6 rebounds and nine assists.
Obi Emegano (14), Talib Zanna (13) and Bryant Mbamalu (11) also finished with double digits.
After trailing by 9 points in the opening quarter, DTigers shook off a slow start going to the break (44-45). Despite a strong fight from Uganda in the second half, Nigeria did more than enough to maintain the lead to record their first win in the 2019 World Cup qualifiers.
Jimmy Enabu had a game high 27 points while Robinson Rodoch added 25 points and Stephen Omony contributed 11 points for Uganda. A bulk of the Ugandan national team played at the 2017 FIBA Africa Champions Cup in Tunisia for City Oilers.
Nigeria will next play against Rwanda on Saturday in Mali
