Team Nigeria opened their 3×3 basketball campaign at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in historic fashion on Friday, defeating the Cayman Islands 21-17 to record the country’s first-ever victory in the event.
The Nigerians reached the winning mark with one minute and 36 seconds remaining, capping a disciplined performance that blended accurate shooting, aggressive defending and smart game management against a spirited Cayman Islands side.
The landmark victory handed Nigeria a dream start in Pool A and provided another boost to the country’s impressive opening day at the Games.
Celebrations erupted in the Nigerian camp after the final buzzer, with National Sports Commission Director-General Bukola Olopade joining the players and officials on court to celebrate the milestone achievement.
“This is the kind of start we were hoping for. Congratulations to the team for their fighting spirit and determination. Enjoy this victory, but stay focused because the journey has only just begun. Nigeria believes in you, and we are confident you can achieve even greater success at these Games,” Olopade said.
The result also represents another significant step in the growth of Nigeria’s 3×3 basketball programme, which continues to make steady progress on the international stage.
Buoyed by their opening-day success, the team will now look to build on the momentum as they continue their quest for a place in the knockout rounds.
The basketball victory came on a productive day for Team Nigeria, with the country’s para powerlifters also delivering medals to ensure the nation’s Glasgow campaign gathered early momentum.
Nigeria is competing with a 74-member contingent across 10 sports at the Commonwealth Games, where the National Sports Commission is targeting a return of between 16 and 20 gold medals.
.
