The Nation Newspaper

Tag: D’Tigers

  • FIBA World Cup: Nigeria beats Cote d’Ivoire to inch closer to Tokyo 2020

    Nigeria’s national basketball team, D’Tigers, defeated Cote d’Ivoire 83-66 to move a step closer to claiming the sole Africa Olympic ticket at the FIBA World Cup in China yesterday.

    In the 17 -32 classification match played yesterday, the Nigerian team led by veteran Ike Diogu out-scored their opponent in two quarters, one ended in favour of the Ivorians, while the last quarter ended in a draw. The four quarter scores were 24-18, 13-17, 28-11, 20-20 for a total score of 83-66 in favour of Nigeria.

    After extending their lead by 17 points at the end of the third quarter, the Nigerian team did enough to protect their lead in the fourth quarter to emerge victorious in a game between two leading West African teams.

    In the final phase of the World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria defeated Côte d’Ivoire in Lagos 84-73 before suffering an away 72-46 defeat in Abidjan to hand the Ivorians a World Cup qualification lifeline. But the D’Tigers moved a step further to confirm their supremacy over their African brothers with the 17 points win.

     

    Read Also: FIBA World Cup: Nigeria saves face with emphatic victory over Korea

    Vincent Nnamdi, who came up from the bench led the Nigerian team with 15 points, Al Farouq Aminu and Ekpe Udoh had 13 points apiece, while Stan Okoye and Ben Uzoh contributed 10 point each. Diogu, Ike Ireogbu and Josh Okogie also added single digit scores to put a gloss on the scoreline, while Coach Alex Nwora decided to rest his son, Jordan.

    The Nigerians now has two win from four games – a 50 per cent record.

    They will take on host – China in their next classification match early tomorrow in Guangzhou.

    The man of the match, Al-Farouq said that with the new goal being a qualification for the Olympics, the team came out to get the job done. “That is our goal now obviously. We got knocked out of the contention to get a medal so we had to change our vision and continue to make sure that we keep Nigerian basketball, playing every year and compete. So, we want to ensure that we do the best to qualify for the Olympics.”

  • D’Tigers to play Canada, Dominican Republic friendly matches

    In its quest to prepare the D’Tigers for the 2019 FIBA Men’s World Cup, the Nigeria Basketball Federation has lined up grade-A friendlies against the Dominican Republic and Canada ahead of the World Cup.

    D’Tigers’ two-legged encounter against the Dominican Republic will take place in Santo Domingo between July 19th and 25th before playing Canada in Quebec and Ontario between August 5th and 11th 2019.

    According to arrangements put in place for the team, D’Tigers will open camp in the United States of America before moving to Canada.

    Lagos, Nigeria will be the venue of the final phase of preparation with NBBF already in advanced talks with a yet to be named World Cup-bound team for a 2-legged friendly.

    NBBF President, Engr. Musa Kida disclosed that the Federation is determined to give the team the best preparation that it can afford to ensure that the team does the nation proud in China when the World cup starts on the 31st of August.

    “We have locked down 2 grade A games with the Dominican Republic and Canada who will both be at the World Cup.

    These games alongside those we are still planning to organize when the team comes to Lagos, we believe, will provide quality tests for the team.”

    Kida revealed that though the choices of camp sites in the USA and Canada have not been made due to factors such as quality of facilities, playing personnel and most importantly funds, agreements have been concluded with the Canadian and Dominican Republic Basketball Federations for the games.

    Meanwhile, the team is also billed to participate in a friendly tournament featuring some teams that will take part in the mundial in China between 21st and 26th of August.

  • 2019 World Cup: D’Tigers to know group opponents in March

    Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team the D’Tigers will know their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 opponents in a Draw scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 16, in Shenzhen, one of the eight host cities of FIBA’s flagship competition sports247.ng has gathered.

    Nigeria, Angola and Tunisia have already qualified for the World Cup with Senegal and Egypt the likely other two to join the already qualified teams from Africa.

    18 countries have already booked passage to the World Cup, with the remaining 14 slots set to be filled during the 6th and final window of the qualifiers scheduled to be played across the world from February 18 -26, 2019.

    The already qualified countries are China as host, Angola, Nigeria and Tunisia from Africa. Argentina, Canada, USA, and Venezuela from the Americas. Others include Australia, Korea, and New Zealand from Asia, while Europe has the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Spain, and Turkey.

    According to FIBA, the Draw is a very important milestone on the Road to China 2019 as it sets out the path for the 32 participating teams in their journey to be crowned world champions. The draw procedures will be made public in the days leading up to the special event.

  • D’Tigers crush Uganda in Africa World Basketball qualifiers

    Nigeria recorded an emphatic 109-66 win against Uganda in their opening game of the FIBA Africa World Basketball qualifiers on Friday in Lagos.

    The competition which started on June 29 will end on July 1, at the Indoor Sports Hall in Surulere, Lagos.

    The Senior National Men’s Basketball team, D’Tigers led by Ike Diogu, team captain, enjoyed a back to back three pointers from captain, Diogu to settle their nerves in front of a boisterous home crowd.

    Diogu’s three points shots kept home fans in ecstasy all through the final buzzer to coast home with the win.

    He led the floor with 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists for the team’s quest to make the FIBA Basketball World championship coming up in China in 2019.

    Apart from bench points, Nigeria outscored Uganda 16-10 on fast break points, 15-9 on second chance points and 19-10 on points turnovers.

    Obi Emegano added 15 points and another  12 points each from debutants, Tosin Mehinti and Jordan Nwora helped Nigeria to a comfortable sail through.

    Head Coach, Alex Nwora told newsmen after the victory that he had eight debutantes that gave good account of themselves and was switching players based on what Uganda had on the floor.

    “”I tried to give everyone a run and I am glad they all did well in the end in spite a shaky start,” Nwora said after the game.

    The Ugandans in spite falling to a superior D’Tigers had three players in double digits, Jordin Mayes, Deng John Geu and Robinson Odoch scoring 18, 13 and 11 points respectively.

    Stephen Omony, the team’s captain,  in his reaction, said that the D’Tigers were superior and that it was tough catching up.

    ““I give credit to the D’Tigers, they played well and were better coordinated, we look forward to other games and hope to get some good results at the end,” Omony said.

    In another match Rwanda defeated Mali 82-72 in their opening game.

  • Nwora releases D’Tigers final list for World Cup qualifiers

    D’Tigers captain, Ike Diogu who plays for Sinchuan Blue Whales in China will lead 11 other players as 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Lagos holds this weekend.

    Coach Alex Nwora 12-man list announced at the team’s last training session also has Omoerah Keith Sado (Baerum Basket, Norway), Braxton Ogbueze Jai (Charlotte University, USA), Nwora Jordan (University of Louisville, USA) Agada Caleb Apochi (Prat, Spain) and Okosun Augustine Obehioye (Sameji Dominican Republic). Mehinti Tosin Idowu (Lavrio, Greece) and Moses Kingsley (Antwerp Giants, Belgium) were also selected and are all in line to make their first competitive debut for Nigeria.

    Others are Uzoh Benjamin (CB Caballero De Culican, Mexico), Mbamalu Bryant (CD Vildivia, Chile), Zanna Talib (Ironi Nes-Zion’s, Italy) and Emenago Obinna Clinton (Rouen Basket, France).

    Apart from being the first time the national team will be playing its World Cup qualifiers at home, the ‘Nworas’ are also in line to make history as the first family in Nigeria to have father and son in the national team at the same time.

    Speaking on their readiness, Nwora said the team is as ready as they can be as they look forward to a great match against Uganda tomorrow.

    “It’s going to be a good test for us tomorrow but hopefully we will be victorious tomorrow.

    “We played them before. The last time we played them, they gave us a lot of problem. Now, they have newer players who did not play in the second window,” the coach added.

  • WC qualifiers: D’Tigers’ camp bubbles as training starts today

    D’Tigers camp has continued to swell with the arrival of 7 new players on Wednesday ahead of the 2019 FIBA men’s World Cup qualifiers holding in Lagos.

    Head coach, Alex Nwora, Team Manager,  Musa Adamu and France-based Emenago Obinna were the early arrivals after reporting to camp on Saturday, while the Assistant coach,  Ogoh Odaudu arrived camp on Sunday bringing the number of players in camp to eight.

    Omoerah Keith Saido who plies his trade with Baerum Basketball Club in Norway,  Charlotte University’s Braxton Ogbueze Jai and Mbamalu Bryant who plays for CD Vildivia in Chile were some of the seven players who arrived yesterday.

    Others are Prat of Spain player, Agada Caleb Apochi, Antwerp Giant of Belgium power forward, Moses Kingsley, Lavrio of Greece power forward, Mehinti Tosin and Okosun Obehioye.

    The players were received by staff of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) on arrival in Lagos and taken to their hotel.  The team’s first training session will hold today.

    Other players are expected to arrive in camp today before the team’s departure to Abidjan for the tune up games against Cote d’Ivoire on June 23 and 24.

    Nigeria is grouped alongside Uganda, Mali and Rwanda for the World Cup qualifiers

  • FIBA W/Cup: Aminu, Lawal return to D’Tigers

     

    Nanterre Basketball of France player, Aminu Abdul Alade and Lawal Olaseni of Scandone AV of Italy have both made a sensational return to D’Tigers team ahead of this month’s 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers holding in Lagos.

    Both players who last featured for the senior national teams at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil have been recalled by D’Tigers Head Coach, Alex Nwora for the crunchy games against Mali, Rwanda and Uganda.

    The duo will be joined by team captain, Diogu Ikechukwu (Sichun Blue Whales, China) Uzoh Benjamin (CB Caballero De Culican, Mexico), Mbamalu Bryant (CD Vildivia, Chile), Zanna Talib (Ironi Nes-Zion’s, Italy), Emenago Obinna Clinton (Rouen Basket, France) and Mike Efevberha (Beirut Club, Lebanon).

    Meanwhile, 9 other new faces have also been called and are likely to make their national debut if selected in the final 12 -man team for the 3rd window of the qualifiers.

    Listed are Omoerah Keith Sado (Baerum Basket, Norway), Braxton Ogbueze Jai (Charlotte University, USA), Nwora Jordan (University of Louisville, USA) Agada Caleb Apochi (Prat, Spain) and Okosun Augustine Obehioye (Sameji, Dominican Republic).

    Others are London based Jesse Adekoya, Attah AbdulAziz (JeanD Brebeau, Canada), Mehinti Tosin Idowu (Lavrio, Greece) and Moses Kingsley (Antwerp Giants, Belgium).

    To adequately prepare the team for the task ahead, D’Tigers will play 4 friendlies against Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon and Benin Republic.

    The first 2 games will be against Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan on 23rd and 24th June, 2018 while on the 26th and 27th, they will face Gabon and Republic of Benin respectively.

    The team will start its campaign against on the 29th at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

     

  • No medal for D’Tigers

    NIGERIA’S senior Men’s national basketball team, D’Tigers have been ruled out of medal contention at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

    D’Tigers, whose coach remains stranded in the US due to failure to get him a return ticket, were mauled 97-55 by the host country, Australia in their final group game. The team had previously lost to New Zealand and Canada before Monday’s loss to Australia.

    D’Tigers will battle fellow whipping boys, Scotland from the other group in a classification game today.

    After the game, D’Tigers Olalekan Olatunji said the team will try to beat Scotland to redeem their image.

    “We’ve got to play together and we’ve got to play hard. The most dangerous person is someone that hasn’t got anything to lose and we don’t have anything to lose. So, we’ve got to come out hard against the Scottish.”

  • D’Tigers falter against New Zealand

    D’Tigers of Nigeria fell to New Zealand in their first game of the XXI Commonwealth Games holding in Australia 110-65.

    New Zealand dominated and won all the quarters on a night that the Ike Diogu-captained side will want to forget in a hurry as they focus on the next game against North American side, Canada today.

    After a close game in the first and second quarters which ended 24-15 and 26-20 respectively in favour of New Zealand, D’Tigers could not cope with the firepower of the team currently ranked 38 in the latest FIBA ranking in the third quarter as they widened the margin with a 31-8 scoreline before sealing the victory with another 29-22 points scoreline.

    Kano Pillars star man, Dike Azouma was the highest scorer for the team on the night scoring 15 points (with an 80 percent success from the 3 – point line), three rebounds and one assist, while ever reliable Diogu scored 12 points and seven rebounds.

    Making his national team debut, homeboy, Istfanus Yakubu scored 10 points with just about 14minutes on the floor with the technical crew giving all the players except Musa Usman a taste of action in the opening game.

    Reacting after the game, Coach Mohammed Abdulrahman who stood in alongside Aderemi Adewunmi for Alex Nwora said that apart from having a good day at the office, their opponents also dominated in rebounds and from the 3 point line.

    The head coach of Gombe Bulls Basketball Club conceded that his team met a more experienced side. “I don’t think anything went wrong, we just played against a team that is more experienced than we are. The New Zealand team has professional players earning good pay. To make it even worse, they had a great day. They shot well from the 3 – point line and dominated us in rebounds which played a major role in our defeat.”

    “The good thing is, we are going to get better going into the next game. We have learned that the only way we can get through this is to play as a team.”

  • Commonwealth Games: D’Tigers suffer shock defeat to N/Zealand

    The Nigerian national basketball teams, D’Tigers, were defeated on Friday by New Zealand in their first men’s preliminary round match at the on-going Commonwealth Games holding in Gold Coast, Australia.

    D’Tigers, who are in Pool A alongside hosts Australia, New Zealand and Canada, were dominated throughout the proceedings by the Tall Blacks, as the New Zealand basketball team are referred to.

    It was a shocking defeat on the part of D’Tigers, as New Zealand’s head coach Paul Henare was clearly wary of the Nigerian side before the match.

    Henara said about D’Tigers to reporters at his pre-match conference: “It has been a tough scout. They have gone into the depths of their talent pool with a few unknown guys here, but for us it is about focusing on ourselves and making sure we are at our best.

    “With the short preparation time we have to be at our best knowing that they will be athletic, physical and talented. We have to ensure we have done enough in our preparation to get past them.”

    However, the men from Down Under never looked back once they grabbed the lead in the first period, overpowering D’Tigers by 24-15 points.

    In the second period, D’Tigers put up a better show but fell short by 20-26 points.

    The third period saw the New Zealanders put up an overwhelming display, breezing pass D’Tigers 31-8 points, while the final period ended 22-29 in favour of the Tall Blacks.

    New Zealanders were without their major players playing top-flight basketball in the U.S and Europe. Tai and Corey Webster and Isaac Fotu, who are the Tall Blacks the biggest names, were missing since the recent FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

    It didn’t seem to affect the team as Thomas Abercrombie, Jordan Ngatai, Finn Delany and Robert Loe delivered top performance for New Zealand.

    Azuoma Dike was D’Tigers top performer with 15 points, six rebounds and one assist.

    Team captain Ike Diogu managed 12 points and 14 rebounds.

    New Zealand also ranked the lowest (38) in Pool A going into the Games.

    Australia are ranked 10th, while the other member of the group, Canada, are 23rd in FIBA ranking. Nigeria 32nd, six places ahead of the Tall Blacks.

    D’Tigers will look to put their disappointing start behind them as they take on Canada in their second Pool Game on Saturday at the Cairns Convention Centre at 5:00am Nigerian time.

    Canada earlier lost 55-95 to hosts Australia in the other Pool A game earlier decided.