FIBA World Cup Qualifiers: Crisis Rocks D'Tigers' Opponents Guinea After Nigeria Defeat

FIBA World Cup Qualifiers: Crisis Rocks D'Tigers' Opponents Guinea After Nigeria Defeat

Sampson Adedeji

Guinea's national basketball team, Syli Basket, has reportedly been hit by an administrative and financial crisis following their defeat to Nigeria's D'Tigers in the FIBA World Cup Qatar 2027 African Qualifiers, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

According to Guinea news outlet @Joueurs_GN from sources close to the Guinean delegation, the team was locked out of its hotel in Luanda, Angola, for more than three hours over unpaid accommodation bills.

The development has overshadowed what had been an impressive qualifying campaign for Guinea, who had already secured qualification for the second round as leaders of Group C before their loss to Nigeria.

Reports also claim that tensions have persisted between the delegation and the Administrative and Financial Department (DAF) of Guinea's Ministry of Sports over logistical and financial issues since the start of the qualifiers.

In addition, players are reportedly yet to receive their performance bonuses, with several senior stars said to be frustrated by the situation.

Some players are also believed to be owed outstanding bonuses dating back to last year's AfroBasket tournament. The situation has reportedly worsened as the DAF representative has allegedly been unreachable for more than 24 hours, raising concerns within the delegation.

The crisis comes at a crucial stage of Guinea's World Cup qualification campaign, with the team still in contention for a historic place at the Qatar 2027 FIBA World Cup despite the off-court distractions.