Chimezie Metu's last gasp heroics fires D'Tigers past Guinea in qualifying thriller
Nigeria's D'Tigers produced another stunning performance at the FIBA 2027 Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, battling back to edge previously unbeaten Guinea 80-79 in a pulsating contest at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda, Angola, on Friday.
The dramatic victory, sealed by Chimezie Metu's decisive late basket, handed Guinea their first defeat of the qualifying campaign after the West Africans had won all four matches in the opening window and defeated Rwanda on Thursday.
Head coach David Fizdale retained faith in a starting five of Ike Iroegbu, Caleb Agada, Wes Iwundu, Chimezie Metu, and Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, and the D'Tigers responded with an energetic opening.
Caleb Agada got Nigeria on the scoreboard from the free-throw line as D'Tigers controlled the first quarter to establish a 23-17 lead. Both sides traded baskets in an entertaining second quarter, which ended 23-23, giving Nigeria a 46-40 advantage at halftime.
Agada was the standout performer in the opening half with 16 points, while Metu made his presence felt with six points and six rebounds.
Guinea came out firing after the interval, reminding everyone why they had been the team to beat in the group. A dominant 28-16 third-quarter display saw them erase Nigeria's lead and head into the final quarter with a six-point cushion.
But D'Tigers refused to surrender.
Nigeria tightened up defensively and found another gear offensively, winning the fourth quarter 18-11. With the game hanging in the balance, Metu delivered when it mattered most, knocking down the winning basket to complete a thrilling comeback and secure an unforgettable one-point victory.
Agada once again led the way for Nigeria, finishing with 22 points, four steals, three assists, and two rebounds. Uche Iroegbu contributed 14 points, six assists, and two steals, while Akobundu-Ehiogu added 10 points and eight rebounds.
Although Metu finished with nine points and eight rebounds, it was his clutch game-winning basket that proved the difference. Ike Iroegbu, Wes Iwundu, and Christian Mekowulu each added six points in a disciplined team performance.
Guinea had three players reach double figures, with Sekou Doumbouya posting a game-high 23 points. Souleymane Boum Jr. and Shannon Evans scored 18 points each, but their efforts could not save the previously unbeaten side from their first loss of the qualifiers.
Fresh from consecutive victories over Tunisia and Guinea, D'Tigers will look to complete a perfect second qualifying window when they face Rwanda on Sunday.
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