Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have begun their campaign in the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers on a winning note, defeating Tunisia 84-81 in a thrilling opening match.
The victory was inspired by outstanding performances from the Iroegbu brothers, Ike and Uche, who once again demonstrated their quality on the continental stage.
Ike Iroegbu finished as Nigeria’s joint highest scorer with 17 points, alongside Chimezie Metu, while his younger brother, Uche Iroegbu, contributed 13 points. Wes Iwundu also played a key role in the victory, adding 14 points to help D’Tigers secure an important opening win.
The Iroegbu brothers share deep roots in Abia State. Their father hails from Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government Area, while their mother is from Umuawa Alaocha in Umuahia North Local Government Area.
Although they were raised in the United States, the brothers have remained committed to representing Nigeria on the international stage, becoming a source of pride for both Abia State and the country.
In previous interviews, Ike and Uche have spoken about the honour of wearing the green-and-white jersey together, describing it as a privilege to continue Nigeria’s rich tradition of siblings representing the national basketball team.
With the qualifying campaign now underway, the duo, alongside Chimezie Metu, Wes Iwundu, Caleb Agada, and Stan Okoye, are expected to play pivotal roles as Nigeria bids to secure qualification for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.
