Nigeria’s D’Tigers enter the 2027 FIBA World Cup African qualifiers with a blunt warning: Nigeria cannot afford another global failure after the Super Eagles’ World Cup miss.

The journey begins in Tunis against hosts Tunisia in Group C, which also features Rwanda and Guinea. With only five African slots available for the 2027 World Cup in Doha, the margin for error is microscopic.

Coach Mohammed Abdulrahman admitted the preparation was chaotic, the squad barely trained after arriving, but downplayed concerns.

“All teams face the same issues,” he said. “The players are ready. Pressure is a privilege.”

Nigeria’s 12-man squad combines experience and homegrown talent, featuring Ike Nwamu, Stan Okoye, Mike Nuga, and defensive enforcer Christopher Obekpa, alongside three home-based standouts.

The qualification path spanning 2025–2027 is complex and unforgiving, with teams carrying results from round to round. Nigeria, ranked 8th in Africa, must avoid the decline seen in football.

Coach Abdulrahman appealed directly to fans: “Keep supporting us. We’re fighting for the country.”

For D’Tigers, the mission begins in Tunis, but the weight of a nation follows them.