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Tag: D’Tigers

  • Commonwealth Games: D’Tigers ready for battle – Dike

    D’ Tigers shooting guard, Azouma Dike has said that the Nigerian team is set for the Commonwealth Games basketball event, which begins on Thursday in Gold Coast.

    The Nigerian team will play its opening Group A game against New Zealand at Cairns on Friday with the hope that a favourable result would propel it to a podium finish at the Games. The Nigerian team also has Australia and Canada to contend with for a place in the next round.

    The Alex Nwora-tutored side has a tough task but Dike is sure that they will do well at the Games. “We are getting set for the game against New Zealand. It is will be a very tough game but we are not scared of any team.

    We might not be as big as the teams in our group, as the FIBA ranking suggests but we are good to go.”

    When he was reminded that experience matters in basketball, he answered: “Basketball is the same everywhere.

    We are not scared of the big names because it is a game where anything can happen, so we all have to bring our best performance into all the games.

    “We can shock some teams. You can take surprise element away from basketball because small teams have prospered against big teams in competitions. We have what it takes to do well and I believe in my teammates,” Dike added.

    The team is captained by Ike Diogu (Henan, China). Others are Uchenna Ireogbu (Stony Brooks, NCAA, USA) Dung Eli Abraham- (Kano Pillars (Nigeria) Azuoma Dike – (Kano Pillars, Nigeria) Olantunji Olalekan  Graham- (Unattached, USA) Ofoegbu Uchechi Chima – (Unattached, USA) Musa Usman (Mark Mentors) Abdulwahab Yakubu (Gombe Bulls) Istifanus Sylvanus (Gombe Bulls) Abdul Yahaya (Kano Pillars) Achiuwa Godsgift Onyekachi (Unattached, USA) and Orizu Prince Ifeanyi (Far Eastern University, The Philippines).

  • D’Tigers maintains perfect record at FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers

    D’Tigers maintains perfect record at FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers

    Nigeria’s men senior basketball team, D’Tigers, capped an impressive run at the just-concluded round of qualifiers for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup finishing undefeated.

    The qualifiers, held in Bamako, Mali, saw the D’Tigers joining basketball powerhouses, Tunisia and Angola to maintain 100 per cent record so far.

    In their last group game during the first-leg matches, Nigeria defeated hosts, Mali, 82-59 in Group B of the African Qualifiers in front of a home crowd, making them one of only three teams yet to lose a game in the race for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China.

    The D’Tigers had previously cruised to victory against Uganda and Rwanda by an average of 33-point wins margin in the three-day contest.

    Team captain Ike Diogu and Michael Efevberha, were in inspiring form as Nigeria closed Group B’s first-leg with three wins in as many games while Uganda, Mali and Rwanda finished with a 1-2 record each.

    Meanwhile in Group D played in the Mozambican capital of Maputo, Senegal beat the hosts 60-52 while the Central African Republic denied Cote d’Ivoire 63-62 in overtime.

    Senegal and Mozambique share the lead of the group, a 2-1 record each, while CAR and Cote d’Ivoire closed the group’s first-leg with a 1-2 record apiece.

    According to information contained on FIBA Africa website, the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers returns in late June and early July for the second-leg of Groups A-D.

    Read Also: 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifier: D’Tigers beat Uganda 102-86 points

    Five FIBA World Cup tickets are at stake for the continent’s countries to reach the first-ever 32-team FIBA Basketball World Cup taking place in China from August 30 to September 15, 2019.

    “The African Qualifiers consist of 12 tournaments played across six windows. The First Round sees four groups of four teams each face one another over the course of two legs.

    “The top three teams from each group advance to the Second Round, where the 12 qualified teams are divided in two groups (E and F) of six teams each.

    “The top two teams from groups E and F and the best third-ranked team will secure their tickets for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019,” the FIBA Africa website stated.

    NAN

     

  • 20 Nigerians bag FIBA certification

    20 Nigerians bag FIBA certification

    Nigeria will not be in short supply of FIBA certified table officials and statisticians when the D’Tigers kick off their 2019 World Cup campaign next year.

    This follows the recent certification and presentation of certificates to 15 statisticians and 5 table officials during the finals of the FIBA Africa Zone 3 club championship elimination hosted by Nigeria.

    The list of the 15 successful candidates out of the 80 participants during the 2-day training facilitated by the Nigeria Basketball Federation in conjunction with FIBA is led by Kelvin Anene, McArthur Finecountry, Shomala Abiola, Olatunde Ladapo and Akinyele Henry.

    Others are Adeniji Adewale, Abiola Olarewaju, Okoh Chinedu, Azeez Bello, Ayotunde Onabolu, Osundina Opeyemi, Oni Adeniyi, Asher Emmanuel and Semiu Oshinaike who are now certified to operate at any FIBA organised events anywhere in the world with immediate effect.

    10 others who also participated at the training are on the pending list and may be certified before the D’Tigers begin their world cup qualification at home against Uganda on the 23rd of February, 2018.

    In an official mail to the NBBF by FIBA and signed by its Statistician Instructor, Arnaud Sevaux, the body congratulated the successful candidates with an assurance that more Nigerians will soon be certified.

    According to FIBA, Rasaq Okedeyi, Olayinka Famgbiyele, Samuel Shofoluwe, Simon Evbuomwan and Toluwalase Otukoya have also been certified as table officials ahead of the 2018 basketball season.

    Meanwhile, D’Tigers will start their 2019 World cup campaign against Uganda on the 23rd of February, Uganda on the 24th before playing Rwanda on the 25th.

  • Silver winning D’Tigers to arrive today

    Silver winning D’Tigers to arrive today

  • AfroBasket 2017: D’Tigers devour Cameroon 106-91 to book semi-final ticket

    AfroBasket 2017: D’Tigers devour Cameroon 106-91 to book semi-final ticket

    Nigeria’s senior men basketball team, the D’Tigers, on Thursday whipped Cameroon 106-91 points to move into the semi-finals at the 2017 Men’s AfroBasket Championship in Tunisia.

    According to the official website of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), D’Tigers led the scoreboard aggregate throughout the fiercely-contested quarter-final match.

    The Nigerian side started off early, winning the first quarter 25-18 points, and consolidating on this with a 27-25 points win in the second quarter.

    The Cameroonians fought back to win 27-23 in the third quarter, but it was not enough to upstage the D’Tigers who still led 75-70.

    U.S.-based Ikechukwu Nwamu was the top performer for the D’Tigers with 25 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a steal.

    Ike Diogu also scored 28 points, one steal and a block, while Daniel Ochefu had 10 rebounds, and Ike Iroegbu had seven assists.

    Cameroon’s top performer was Benoit Mbala, who scored 32 points, 10 rebounds, one assist and three steals, but he was unable to help his team survive the claws of D’Tigers.

    In Friday’s semi-finals, Nigeria will meet the winners of the quarter-final clash between Senegal and Angola, which was being played later on Thursday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the D’Tigers are the competition’s defending champions.

  • NBBF donates food items to orphanage

    NBBF donates food items to orphanage

    The Tijani Umar-led board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation ( NBBF ) has donated foodstuffs, detergents, toiletries and beverages to the Nasarawa Orphanage Home in Kano.

    Umar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kaduna that the gesture was part of the board’s philosophy of reaching out to the less-privileged.

    He said that the items were jointly purchased by the federation’s board members, comprising past and present basketball players and technical officials.

    Umar, on behalf of the NBBF said the Community Outreach Service was part of the board’s activities in the ongoing Kwese Premier Basketball League Final 8 Championship at the Indoor Hall of the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

    “Today, we identify with the less-privileged to show that we care and willing to support them to aspire and become great in life.

    “This is important to us because we want to contribute to their lives and encourage as well as motivate them to look up to these players and aspire to be like them.

    “Life is all about give and take and we really appreciate and thank the management of the home for taking care of the children.”

    He said the items were delivered to the orphanage by D’Tigers player and Captain of Mark Mentors Abuja, Stanley Gumut.

    Umar pledged more gifts to the orphanage as the board was planning to build a basketball court for the home.

    “We plan to return to the home and build a basketball court, so that they can be motivated and develop interest in basketball.”

    Hajiya Lauriya Sagir, while receiving the items on behalf of the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the management of the home, described the visit as hope for the children.

    “Today, the children see these players as role models and it has given them hope in life to aspire for a better future.”

  • Ochefu hopeful as D’Tigers leave for Tunisia

    Ochefu hopeful as D’Tigers leave for Tunisia

    Washington Wizards centre Daniel Ochefu is hopeful and aiming for the trophy as Nigeria begins the campaign to retain the African cup they won in Tunisia two years ago.
    Nigeria national basketball team, D’Tigers flew out of the country for Tunisia at 6am Wednesday, 6th September from the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos aboard an Air Maroc flight.
    The Tigers will start their campaign in the African championship with preliminary games against DR Congo, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire for the competition taking the tip off on Friday. The championship is being hosted jointly for the first time by Senegal and Tunisia.
    The final team list was made by coach Alex Nwora on Tuesday after the team’s final work out at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. The Nigerian men have added pressure to perform creditably well after the women’s team won the African cup in Mali barely a fortnight ago. But despite the perceived pressure, Ochefu believes the Tigers can return from Tunis with their heads held high.
    He said, “We’ll keep the same kind of mentality they (D’Tigers 2015 squad) had when they won the championship in 2015; that’s the way to go.”
    The Nigerian team is entering the championship with a lot of players who have never played at the Nations Cup level previously. And this includes Ochefu who is making his debut but he believes that should not count.
    “My profession is to play basketball; I’m in shape and ready to go.
    “It doesn’t matter whether it’s my first time or not; we are going to play basketball over there and that I am very ready to do. Nigeria will be the team everyone wants work hard against for obvious reasons. The men won it the last time and the ladies just the whole of Africa again.
    “Yes, I don’t know much about the system here but I know basketball very well. I can rebound, I can defend and I can score and that is what I am going there to do.”
    Nigeria will play the first match on Friday against Congo.
    Final list
    1. Abdul Yahaya
    2. Dike Azuoma
    3. Diogu Ike
    4. Deji Akindele
    5. O’karo Akamune
    6. Bryant Mbamalu
    7. Ike Nwamu
    8. Akin Akingbala
    9. Ike Iroegbu
    10. Anthony Odunsi
    11. Kelechi Anunna
    12. Daniel Ochefu
     

     

  • Ugboaja Summer Camp: 700 players fight for scholarship slots

    Ugboaja Summer Camp: 700 players fight for scholarship slots

     

    About 700 Basketball and American Football players are fighting for places in the 20 scholarship scheme slots at the Ejike Ugboaja Basketball Foundation summer camp at the National Stadium, Abuja.

    The scholarship scheme which is being put together by former D’Tigers and NBA player, Ejike Ugboja is in its 11th year with players from all states of the federation and Abuja competing for a place in the sponsorship scheme.

    Ejike who just got re-elected on the board of NBBF as the player representative, said by the virtue of his victory at the pools, he  is poised to see to the elevation of Nigerian basketball players by facilitating scholarship opportunities with 20 American Colleges for the athletes.

    Ejike further said that he will put in his best as the players representative on the board to seek proper remuneration for the players and the game at large.

    To buttress this, the former NBA player doled out 150 canvases and jerseys during the week-long camp.

    Two of the successful foundation members including five star American football player in 2nd tackle position, Chidi Okeke and former Niger Potters player, Tijani Idris flew in to join hands with Ejike in taking the lads in various training routine.

    Okeke, a native of Anambra State was a first timer to the camp in 2010 but couldn’t make the cut for scholarship. In 2013, he was one of the successful basketball players who bagged a scholarship to an American high school, Champag Nart Catholic School in Miami Florida, then onward to Faith Baptist Academy,Georgia.

    Okeke baged 48 scholarships from various colleges in America but opted for Lousiana State university when he was spotted by Les Miles an American football coach for the school. He was made to attend many football camps where he became an MVP as against his initial trade as basketball player.

    Okeke, who is set to turn pro, next year, with 18 professional clubs seeking his signature, says he will always want to come down home in the nearest future to develop sports just as his mentor Ejike, because sports men are suffering a lot.

    Tijani Idris was another success story, having played with Ejike at Niger potters though cut his teeth as a basketballer in Kaduna with Kada Stars, also got his opportunity through the foundation to move overseas after his studies at the college, had his professional stint as a basketballer with Al – SAAD of Qatar, before settling down in the US. He presently helps Ejike as an instructor and Coordinator in America for Ejike ugboaja Foundation.

  • Resurgent D’Tigers in must-win game against Brazil

    AFter shocking Croatia 90-76 to record its first win in the basketball event of the Rio Olympics, the Nigerian male team, D’Tigers, will take on Brazil today in a must-win game to brighten their chance of moving to the second round.

    While hoping that results in other games favour them, D’Tigers will strategise to inflict another defeat on the host who lost to South American rivals, Argentina 111-107 in double overtime. The Brazilians also need to win the game but would meet a resilient Nigerian team that is full of confidence after beating Croatia.

    After a disappointing first game defeat to Argentina, stepped up their game in subsequent matches, but narrowly lost to Lithuania and Spain.

    However, they came back with a bang and outscored the Croatians 22-11 in the second to take a 43-39 half-time lead, despite going behind 28-21 at the end of the first half. Shooting from all cylinders, Michael Umeh hit 5-of-8 three-pointers for 16 points first half points.  Nigeria’s impressive shooting from long range continued in the third quarter as they hit 4-of-7 attempts and saw their lead reach 50-35 when team captain, Ike Diogu connected from beyond the arc.

    An 8-0 run spanning the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth enabled Croatia to cut the deficit to single digits, 70-61. They would get within 74-71 on a Bojan Bogdanovic free-throw with 4:14 left to play but down the stretch Josh Akognon and Ebi Ere hit clutch three-pointers to secure the impressive win.

  • D’Tigers: Why we lost

    D’Tigers: Why we lost

    D’TIGERS player, Chamberlain Oguchi, has said lack of focus in Rio have cost them the three successive defeats so far in the on-going men’s basketball event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

    D’Tigers are struggling to get good results following defeats to Argentina, Lithuania and Spain.

    They last won a game since their first contest at the 2012 Games in London against Tunisia.

    “It’s a lack of focus. We seem to be losing maybe one quarter throughout the whole game. We go through long stretches where we don’t execute and don’t play our defensive schemes.

    “If we can play close attention to detail for long stretches, I think we’ll be okay,”

    Oguchi who leads D’Tiger’s also praised the Spanish side in an interview with FIBA.com for showing  so much experience in outwitting them.

    “It was a hard-fought match. Hats off to Spain, they’re an experienced team and they pulled it out. We had a couple of turnovers that cost us and they capitalized on them.”