The senior men`s basketball team - DTigers - will fly out to Luanda, Angola to play the final window of the African Qualifiers of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. This window is crucial for us as we must win all three matches to stand a chance to be one of the five countries that will represent the continent at the World Cup later this year in Philippines, Japan or Indonesia.
That responsibility now lies on the shoulders of the `12 Strong` home based players, led by a team of veteran home based coaches.
In the final team list released by the Nigeria Basketball Federation, the Governing body of the sport in Nigeria, four (4) players were selected from Gombe Bulls, three (3) from Nigeria Customs, two (2) from Rivers Hoopers, one (1) from the league winners, Kwara Falcons and one free agent - Olatunji Graham. The team`s head coach, Ogoh Odaudu (Rivers Hoopers), will be supported by Baba Jubril (Kwara Falcons) and AbdulRahman Mohammed (Gombe Bulls).
For the second round of the African qualifiers, DTigers are grouped against Cote D`Ivoire, Angola, Guinea, Cape Verde, and Angola in Group E. They have played three games so far in the second round, winning just one. The last three games in this final window determine our World Cup fate.
Nigeria vs Cote D`Ivoire - 24 Feb
Guinea vs Nigeria - 25 Feb
Nigeria vs Angola - 26 Feb
Cote D`Ivoire has already qualified as they currently top the group. Nigeria is fighting for the second ticket from the group or to be the best third-placed team.
We wish DTigers the best in Angola.
Comments