Nigeria’s run at the FIBA World Cup had already come to an end. They were not advancing to the second round. The team was only playing for classification placement and the chance to qualify for the Olympics.
There was still something to play for — point differential will help determine Nigeria’s ultimate finish in the tournament. Everyone would have to play their part.
Early in the game, Al-Farouq Aminu got a steal and ran the other way for an easy lay-in on the way to nine points, five rebounds and three assists in nearly 17 minutes.