Some basketball fans have expressed shock over the senior national men’s basketball team, D’Tigers` loss to Germany 92-99 in their second group game at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The team also lost their opening game to Australia 67-84 on Tuesday and were looking forward to redeeming their image against Germany.
The Head Coach of Lagos Islanders, Seyi Ayodele, said that the team lost because of poor teamwork.
He said that for them to qualify for the next round, they must work harder as a team to beat Italy.
Ayodele said that the team also lacked a tough point guard who could serve as a general who would take control of the game when they were up in the third quarter.
“We also lack a proper point guard who could serve as a general on the ball play where he would control the game when it was moving faster than our team.
“The team lost their focus in the fourth quarter after doing well all through; indeed it was a match they would have won easily.
“For D’Tigers to qualify for the next round, they have to beat Italy with at least 10 points margin and also counting on Australia to beat Germany,”.
Kunle Awosina, a Basketball Commentator, said the team lacked the finishing power to finish the good job they started.
“We played well all through and could have won if only the team was more determined especially at the last quarter.
“Sincerely, I don’t know how they would beat Italy in their last game as they are no pushovers in basketball,” he said.
Jide Laguda, a Basketball fan, said that the team was technically better but committed so many fouls.
He said that as of the third quarter, some outstanding players were on three and four fouls that made the team play without a center for most of the last quarter.
“The team must go back to the drawing board to have a chance against Italy who had defeated Germany with nine points margin,” he said.
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Jordan Nwora scored 33 points for Nigeria (0-2), while Miye Oni scored 15. Nigeria made 17 three-pointers but was outscored 19-7 from the foul line.
Each team let double-digit leads slide.
D’Tigers` Jordan Nwora recorded 33 points and seven rebounds but could not salvage the team from a loss as Germany’s best performance of the day came through Johannes Voigtmann with 19 points.
Both teams will finish their round-robin Group B schedule on Saturday, July 31, 2021.
Nigeria will face Italy on Saturday as their chances of qualifying for the next round now hang in the balance, while Germany takes on Australia.
