Nigeria Basketball team D’Tigers have successfully booked their slot into the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after win over host China 83-76 to confirm their place as the best ranked team in Africa on Sunday at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. 

This marks Nigeria third consecutive Olympics appearance after they made their debut at the London 2012 Olympics before returning to the big stage at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as the ruling African champions and finishing 11th. 

Their celebrations at the end of the game were not just about winning for pride but because they will have to bypass the Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year, taking the direct route to Tokyo 2020.

Just after the win, Nigeria’s Farouq Al Aminu reflected on the achievement so far, “I remember when I joined the team in 2012, we said we did not want to miss any Olympics. It is a beautiful feeling. It is amazing.”

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