D’Tigers announce 12-man squad for FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Tunisia
D’Tigers squad for crucial qualifiers
D’Tigers, Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, have named a 12-man squad for the upcoming fourth window of the 2027 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers. Head coach David Fizdale selected a roster that combines experienced international players with returning talents as Nigeria begins the second round of the African qualifying campaign. The team will regroup in Tunisia later this month for the crucial matches.
The 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 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 official senior international appearance for Nigeria since the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers in February 2021. Moneke had previously been part of preliminary squads for major competitions, including the Tokyo Olympics, but did not make the final roster for those events. His return marks a significant boost for the team.
Another key player making his senior international debut is Ebuka Izundu, who joins his Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet teammate Moneke on the roster. The squad also features current and former NBA talents such as Josh Okogie of the Utah Jazz, known for his defensive skills, and former NBA bigs Udoka Azubuike and Chimezie Metu, who bring power and experience to the frontcourt.
Second round of African qualifiers
Nigeria is among the 12 teams that advanced to the second round of the African qualifiers, following the initial three windows held in November 2025, February 2026, and July 2026. The second phase is expected to intensify the competition, as teams carry forward their results from the first round into this next stage. Every remaining game will be critical in the pursuit of World Cup qualification.
D’Tigers have been placed in a group alongside Cameroon, South Sudan, Guinea, hosts Tunisia, and Cape Verde. The team currently holds a 4–2 record from the previous phase, placing them in a deadlock with South Sudan, Guinea, and Tunisia as they commence a new six-game schedule.
The immediate objective for D’Tigers is to achieve a strong start in Tunisia to position themselves favorably in the highly competitive race for the continent’s World Cup berths. The stakes are high, as only the top two teams in each group will secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar. Additionally, the best third-placed team across both remaining qualifying pools will also advance.
Upcoming fixtures in Tunisia
During the upcoming qualifying window in Tunisia, D’Tigers have a challenging schedule. They are set to face Cameroon on August 27. The following day, August 28, they will compete against South Sudan. Nigeria will conclude their schedule for this window with a match against Cape Verde on August 30.
In the second round, each team will play the three sides that advanced from the other group. Two additional qualifying windows are scheduled for August 2026 and February 2027. The final qualifying window is slated for February 2027, with five African teams ultimately set to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
Source: premiumtimesng.com
