Sportline For total sports information
The D’Tigers of Nigeria are two games from winning the Afro Basket and getting an automatic ticket to 2016 Olympic games Rio 2016. Having had impressive knock-out games against Mozambique in the second round and recording a good margin victory over Gabon in the quarter-finals, one would fancy their chances of winning the trophy which has eluded the giant of Africa.
Awaiting them in semi-final is Senegal, another power house in Africa Basketball. They have a wonderful head to head record of 6-3 against Nigeria. In their roster is the ever impressive Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng, who to some fans and pundits alike is so far the best player of the tournament.
You have to admit that The D’Tigers are in for a big one as they face one of the tournament favourites in the Semi-finals. The Senegalese who defeated Morocco, Mozambique , Angola, Uganda, and Algeria on their way to the Semi-final are yet to lose a single game.
If you have watched the Senegalese played you should know they are energetic, strong both defensively and offensively, they understand each other and depend on Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng has been in the center of everything for the West Africans
At the post match conference of the quarter-final game vs Gabon, Nigeria’s coach Will Voigt said ‘his team will be focusing on the defence and let that be the anchor for everything moving forward’. That is exactly what I also believe they need to do, work more on the defensive part of their game and look for a way to stop Dieng from having a party.
The D’Tigers must also, improve on their shooting, must not relax when they take the lead and make good use of the entire squad as they clearly have scored a good number of points from the bench.
The Aminu brothers, Olaseni Lawal, Ben Uzoh, Chamberlain Oguchi and co must step up their games if they have to book a place in the final.
Date and Time: Saturday 29 August 2015, 6:30pm
TEAM COMPARISON
|
55.2%
|
2 Points FG |
53.4%
|
|
30.3%
|
3 Points FG |
33.3%
|
|
67.5%
|
Free-Throws |
69.7%
|
|
12.8
|
Offensive Rebounds |
13.0
|
|
32.0
|
Defensive Rebounds |
33.0
|
|
44.8
|
Total Rebounds |
46.0
|
|
16.2
|
Assists |
18.2
|
|
16.2
|
Turnover |
18.2
|
|
5.6
|
Steals |
10.4
|
|
3.6
|
Blocks |
3.8
|
|
18.8
|
Fouls |
20.6
|
|
11.4
|
Fast Break Points |
10.0
|
|
19.2
|
Biggest Lead |
28.6
|
|
32.8
|
Points in the Paint |
30.0
|
|
17.8
|
Points From The Bench |
30.6
|
|
15.4
|
Points From Turnover |
22.4
|
|
10.4
|
Second Chance Points |
12.2
|
|
11.4
|
Biggest Scoring Run |
11.6
|
|
29:08
|
Time Leading |
38:50
|
HEAD TO HEAD
Nigeria 63 - 64 Senegal
Nigeria 76 - 58 Senegal
Nigeria 80 - 65 Senegal
Senegal 101 - 30 Nigeria
Senegal 104 - 56 Nigeria
Senegal 94 - 73 Nigeria
Nigeria 93 - 97 Senegal
Nigeria 50 - 38 Senegal
Senegal 69 - 48Nigeria
