Team Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the men’s 3×3 basketball event at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games suffered another setback on Sunday after a 21-16 defeat to hosts Scotland.
Backed by a vocal home crowd, Scotland produced a disciplined display to condemn Nigeria to its third defeat in four Pool A matches.
The result leaves Team Nigeria with a 1-3 record, having opened its campaign with a promising 21-17 victory over the Cayman Islands before slipping to three consecutive defeats that have severely dented its qualification hopes.
Nigeria battled strongly against the hosts and remained in contention for much of the contest, but Scotland proved more clinical in the closing stages, converting crucial scoring opportunities to seal the victory.
The defeat is another blow for Team Nigeria, which had raised expectations following its impressive opening-day win over the Cayman Islands. That performance suggested the team could challenge for a place in the knockout rounds, but the subsequent losing streak has halted its momentum.
With just one win from four matches, Nigeria must now finish the group stage strongly and hope other results go in its favour to keep its Commonwealth Games campaign alive. Despite the disappointment in the men’s 3×3 basketball event, Team Nigeria has continued to shine in other sports at the Games.
Nigeria’s para powerlifting team has been one of the standout performers in Glasgow, winning three gold and three silver medals, while the athletics competition is set to begin with several of the country’s top medal hopefuls in action.
Although the loss to Scotland has made the path to the knockout stage increasingly difficult, Team Nigeria remains determined to end the group phase on a positive note. The players will be looking to rediscover the form that earned them victory over the Cayman Islands and finish their Commonwealth Games campaign with pride.
