Nigeria defeats Uganda 72-61, advance to knockout stages of FIBA U-18 Afrobasket

Nigeria's youth men's basketball team continue to make history on the court.

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the team recorded a 72-61 victory against their counterparts from Uganda in their second group game of the FIBA U-18 Afrobasket tournament in South Africa.

The team had issues before the start of the tournament.

According to several reports, there were visa issues for the Nigerians by the South African embassy.

Despite these challenges, the team were victorious 70-65 against Angola in their opening group game of the tournament.

Against Angola, youngster Azeez Olaitan Sulaimon was the star with 20 points, seven rebounds, and 10 steals to guide Nigeria to victory.

Against Uganda, the Nigerian team had a battle to win by 11 points.

Sulaimon again was the hero stuffing the stat sheet with 20 points, six rebounds, and eight steals.

The victory comes after the girls' team lost to Uganda 64-80 and were knocked out of the tournament.

Nigeria with two wins in the group phase now progresses to the knockout stages of the tournament.

The Nigerians still have a lot of work to do if they are to qualify for the FIBA U-19 World Cup next year.