By Oscar Chukwugekwu
The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr Ahmad Musa Kida, has called on Nigerians to rally behind the senior men’s national basketball team, D’Tigers, as they begin their campaign in the FIBA Africa Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.
D’Tigers have been drawn in Group E alongside Cameroon, South Sudan, Cabo Verde, Tunisia, and Guinea in what promises to be a highly competitive qualifying series.
Nigeria will begin its campaign against regional rivals, Cameroon, on August 27 before facing South Sudan on August 28, and concluding the opening qualifying window against Cabo Verde on August 30.
Kida urged basketball fans, corporate organisations, and well-meaning Nigerians to support the team as they embark on their quest to secure qualification for the next FIBA Basketball World Cup.
He said the backing of Nigerians would provide the needed motivation for the players and technical crew as they face some of Africa’s best basketball nations.
D’Tigers head into the qualifiers with a positive record against some of their group opponents, having won three of their four previous meetings with Cameroon and both of their earlier encounters against South Sudan. However, Cabo Verde remains a challenging opponent, with Nigeria recording just one win in six meetings.
The NBBF president expressed confidence in the ability of the team to compete strongly, while calling for unity and support from Nigerians throughout the qualifying journey.
With qualification places at stake, D’Tigers will be aiming to make a strong start in Group E and put Nigeria in a favourable position for a place at the global basketball showpiece.