LUANDA (Angola) - Nigeria arrived in Luanda with a purpose, and left with a sense of mission accomplished.
The D’Tigers closed their Group C campaign by reminding everyone of the importance of the point differential after trouncing Rwanda by 44 points (106–62). This was the largest winning margin at that stage of the 2027 World Cup African Qualifiers campaign.
The point differential matters for the next round - Stan Okoye
The former African champions overcame their 1–2 win–loss record from the first round of Group C, played in November, to advance to the second round of the qualifiers for the 12 teams with an encouraging 4–2 record.
More importantly, Nigeria went into the clash against Rwanda with a point differential of -14, but left with +30.
Teams moving on to the second round carry their points from the group stages, and each team will play six games in August and March 2027.
Caleb Agada and Ike Iroegbu sank three three-pointers in the first minute of the game, and Nigeria went on to lead by as many as 46 points.
Agada, Iroegbu and their teammates never let up. It was their main priority: The priorities were to score, limit Rwanda to the fewest points possible, and keep their composure.
“We spoke about it the day before the game. The point differential matters for the next round and coaches emphasised it a lot,” said Stan Okoye who contributed 13 points off the bench.
In the Angolan capital, Nigeria caused an upset by beating high-flying group leaders Guinea 80-79 and Tunisia 84-81.
“We came out with a few different schematics defensively. Our guys did an incredible job limiting some of their better players from getting the type of looks that they normally get,” said Nigeria coach David Vanterpool.
He continued: “One of their better shooters [Justin Uwitonze] finished with three points [1-for-7 from behind the arc] . That is indicative of how our guys locked in on the game-plan, they executed at high level and stayed together through adversity.”
Okoye was delighted with Nigeria’s campaign in Luanda. “Going home 3-0 feels amazing, but job is not done,” said the 35-year-old forward who first donned the Nigeria jersey at the 2013 AfroBasket in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
“Representing Nigeria means the world to me,” Okoye said. “As a kid I never thought I would be able to be in this position to represent Nigeria, especially at this level and for my family and friends who are all back home supporting and encouraging me. Since the first time I put this jersey in 2013, I am still living the dream and every moment and when I have to go to Nigeria is a blessing.”
Okoye was one of the few players in the current roster who featured in the first three games in Tunisia in November.
Okoye insisted that looking at the rankings gave them “motivation” to turn things around.
FIBA