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Tag: FIBA

  • FULL LIST: Countries with highest FIBA Women’s AfroBasket trophies

    FULL LIST: Countries with highest FIBA Women’s AfroBasket trophies

    History was made in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as Nigeria’s D’Tigress stamped their authority on African women’s basketball, clinching their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title in emphatic fashion. The 78-64 win over Mali not only extended their unbeaten run to 29 games since 2015, but also cemented their status as Africa’s most dominant side of the modern era.

    With seven overall titles, Nigeria now trails only Senegal in the all-time standings, closing in fast on the West African giants’ long-held record of 11 championships. From underdogs to a team feared across the continent, D’Tigress are no longer just defending champions—they are a growing dynasty rewriting the very fabric of the game in Africa.

    Here is the full list of countries that have lifted the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket trophy, and the years they claimed continental glory:

    1. Senegal – 11 titles

    Years won: 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2009, 2015

    2. Nigeria – 7 titles

    Years won: 2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025

    3. Zaire (now DR Congo) – 3 titles

    Years won: 1983, 1986, 1994

    Read Also: AfroBasket title: Tinubu  reaffirms support  for ‘Five Star’  D’Tigress

    4. Angola – 2 titles

    Years won: 2011, 2013

    5. Mali – 1 title

    Year won: 2007

  • FIBA plans  top-level experience for fans, players at LA 2028

    FIBA plans  top-level experience for fans, players at LA 2028

    The head of world basketball’s governing body  has said that  the sport is looking forward to giving fans and players a major experience at the Los Angeles Games in 2028 at the Intuit Dome, the new stadium of the Los Angeles Clippers where the Olympic basketball will be held.

    “The strategy of the IOC of assigning early the (next) two Olympics gives not only predictability to us but confidence to have very good conditions for athletes,” said International Basketball Federation (FIBA) General Secretary Andreas Zagklis.

    “We are going back to the country that invented our game, to ‘basketball city’, and we want to provide a fantastic experience for our athletes. That is our big vision.

    “I’ve seen the Arena and it has been designed for the experience of the fans and top-level experience for our players.”

    Read Also: Team Nigeria’s poor run at the Paris 2024 Olympics

    After a successful run in Paris and Lille, Zagklis said the fan base has increased for both men’s and women’s basketball, partly after two stellar finals featuring host nation France against the United States.

    Zagklis attributed this to the programs the Federation has implemented as well as the world cups, with the next for women’s to be played in Berlin in 2026 and the men’s in Doha in 2027.

    “The national teams’  competitions including the Olympics are the ones that attract the new fans… The world cups are providing that necessary platform.

    “We are using these major events as the magnet and driver to invest in development into our federations. We will go to LA with a fantastic platform and roster of teams,” he added.

  • 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.”

  • FIBA World Cup: D’Tigress vow good outing

    D’Tigress duo – Aisha Mohammed and Evelyn Akhator have assured Nigerians of doing well at the Women’s FIBA World Cup, which will hold from September 22 to 30, in Tenerife, Spain.

    Speaking after the team’s training yesterday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, the duo stated that their teammates were also ready for the competition which will bring together the best 16 teams in the world.

    According to Mohammed, the team had trained in the US with the aim of putting up a good showing in Spain. The former captain also commended the coaching crew led by Otis Hugley, for doing a great job and making the team play as a unit.

     “We have been preparing since July and working really hard together with the coaches who are doing a great job and trying to make us good and go out there play as a team. I believe we will be one of the best countries and also bring the trophy back home” Aisha said.

    “I have been playing since 2003 so there aren’t any difficult issue for us because I have been there before which I have played against the top players out there. But I try to motivate some of my teammates, telling them they are not different from us and let them know they are not different for us,” she added.

    “For Akhator, the Nigerian team still needs more training to be at their best at the world, as they would be playing against some of the best players in the world. She stated that the Team USA, the defending champions, are favourites to retain the title, considering the array of WNBA stars in the team.

    “I must say that we are set for the competition. The coaches are really doing a great job and trying to make us better for the World Cup but they still need a little bit of training and practices.

    “We are still preparing but we are like 70 per cent ready but we just need to take every practice one after the other. We need to be much more patient and understand ourselves in the team because we have some new people who just joined the team. My expectations are to get to the finals and get the goal which I promise Nigerians we will achieve,” the 22-year-old power forward/ centre said.

    Nigeria will begin its campaign against Australia and will have Turkey and Argentina to contend with in Group B.

  • FIBA W/cup: 2nd round preparation starts now-Nwora

     

    D’Tigers Head Coach, Alex Nwora has said that the preparation for the second and final round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers has already started.

    Nwora stated this after his side became the first team in Africa to qualify for the final round of the qualifiers with

    their emphatic 109 points to 66 win against Uganda at the National Stadium in Lagos.

    The first leg of the second round tournament will take place during the fourth window in September from 10th to 18th while the return leg is between 26th of November and 4th of December.

    Nwora stressed that the fourth window which will likely throw up tougher opponents will be well prepared for.

    “From our next game, we will start preparing for September. If we are going to face countries like Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique and Central Africa Republic who are also big names in African basketball, then we need to step up our game.”

    Having recorded 3 wins in the second window of the qualifiers, all Nigeria needed was just a point to seal their place as one of the 3 teams in Group B to advance to the next round.

    With qualification already secured, Nwora said focus will now shift to young debutants in the team in its quest to give them more playing time.

    “We have secured our win and we are so excited about this. We have a mixture of experienced and young but new players in this team. We will give the younger players more time on the court to see what they can do. I am really excited about the endless possibilities of the team going by their potentials”.

    The world cup which is the flagship edition made up of 32 teams will take place in China from 31st August to 15th September, 2019.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • FIBA Women Basketball World Cup: ‘Hunger for glory can propel D’Tigress’

    The D’Tigress forward, Cecilia Okoye has said the Nigerian team needs to be well prepared and hungry for glory at the FIBA Women Basketball World Cup in Tenerife, Spain from September 22 to 30.

    The Nigerian team is drawn in Group B alongside Argentina, Australia and Turkey – countries that are better ranked than Nigeria. However, Okoye believes that the team’s target which is the same as every country should propel Nigeria to shock the world.

    “We will need to be well prepared and be hungry for the gold. The target of course will be the same as every country competing to win the World Cup and I hope we can shock the world if we get our acts together.”

    While stating that it will be difficult to rate the D’Tigress’ opponent at the moment, she, however, admitted that it would not be easy to come out tops in the group but expressed optimism in the team’s ability to qualify from the group.

    The 2017 Afrobasket winner told NationSport that she is preparing for the World Cup by making sure she gets the right preparation, push herself to be better everyday, changing the way she eats and what she eats.

  • FIBA calls fresh election into NBBF

    Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA) has ordered for a fresh election into the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation NBBF.

    In a letter signed by FIBA Secretary General, Patrick Bauman and addressed to affected parties said the decision became necessary as the June 12 and 13 elections held in Kano and Abuja respectively failed to meet its statutes.

    It will be recalled that,  on Febuary 4th 2018, three -man FIBA Fact Finding delegation arrived Abuja to find out what led to leadership crisis in the NBBF.

    The three-man delegation includes; Secretary General of regional director FIBA Africa, Dr Alphanso  Bile, FIBA Sports Director and deputy chairman, technical chairman, FIBA chairman Mr. Lubomir Kotleba and Mr Fode Amara Conde.

    In addition to its fact finding mission that would culminate in them preparing a report which it will submit to FIBA’s Executive Committee for its consideration at its next meeting billed for March 10, 2018.

    Arising from its February 10 meeting held at FIBA secretariat in Switzerland, the body noted that, “In the absence of an amicable solution between the parties, the Executive Committee has decided that new elections shall be held.”

    FIBA which maintained its earlier stance of not recognizing both elections pointed out that it will work with relevant stakeholders to amend and develop the NBBF statutes so that such statutes fully comply with all relevant and applicable regulations, primarily the FIBA General Statutes, and guarantee complete independence of the election with no influence from third parties.

    “FIBA will determine when the NBBF statutes are compliant per the above and reserves the right to oversee parts or the entirety of the elections process”, the letter continued.

    Meanwhile  Tijani Umar  has hailed the decision of FIBA for fresh election into the board of  NBBF and ready to work with the world basketball  governing body to have free and fair election without interference from third party.  He also added that the ruling of FIBA on this matter is a victory for  basketball stakeholders and lovers of the game.

  • FIBA Central body meets , mum over NBBF crisis

    FIBA Central body meets , mum over NBBF crisis

     

    World Basketball governing body, FIBA failed to deliberate on the leadership crisis rocking the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

    FIBA’s Central Board met for the last time this year in Switzerland yesterday to take far-reaching decision on the game, but failed to deliberate on Nigeria. Many had hoped that FIBA would give a final verdict on the NBBF leadership crisis, but it failed to do so.

    With the expiration of the November 30 deadline given to Nigeria to solve the problem, FIBA pronouncement would have pointed the way forward for basketball in the country. FIBA’S silent over the matter means that there is a lacuna in the administration of the game in the country.

    In a communique released by FIBA’S Communications Director, Patrick Koller, the Central Board confirmed the creation of a task force in Peru, where the validity of the elections at the country’s basketball governing body have been the subject of dispute for a prolonged period of time.

    FIBA also intervened in Venezuela, where a state court purports to impose an electoral process created by government authorities that does not correspond to the statutes of the National Federation.

    Several decisions that will set the tone for basketball next year were also taken at the meeting.

    It is recalled that the Tijani Umar led faction held its election a day before the one organised by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Ministry of Sports on June 13, which brought on the Musa Kida led Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board, thus causing confusion in the basketball family in the country.

    However, FIBA gave the kid-led board the nod to administer the game till the end of November and also instructing that both factions should seek amicable solution to the problem.

    With the present development, Nigerians will have to wait a little longer for a solution to the crisis.

  • NBBF calls for calm ahead of FIBA deadline

    NBBF calls for calm ahead of FIBA deadline

    The Nigeria Basketball Federation has called for calm ahead of the November 30 deadline date given by the Federation of International Basketball Associations FIBA to the Nigeria Olympic Committee to find an amicable solution to the NBBF leadership impasse.

    At a media briefing held today at the secretariat of Lagos SWAN, the Vice President of the federation, Babs Ogunade gave an assurance that the decision of the apex  body will only establish a solid frame work for future elections in Nigeria.

    Ogunade said that the board had compromised several times just for the sake of basketball and its growth but the outgone board had been so adamant despite attempts by the NBBF President, Engineer Musa Kida to open up communication.

    “We had to sign an undertaken before the Federal Government could allow them use the Indoor Sports hall in Lagos for the conclusion of the Zenith Women’s final 6 and the concluding part of the premier league for women.

    “When we went to Cotonou for the FIBA Africa 3×3 zonal qualifiers, another team was sent by the Kano group. When it was our turn to play, the Kano team received a call to also come on court despite not registering  for the competition. The intention was to cause confusion and create an impression that there was a crisis, but out of maturity, we had to step down our teams in other not to embarrass the country.

    “When we went to Madagascar for the draws for the African champions cup, the Kano group also sent representatives to come and represent Nigeria, but FIBA in their wisdom related with us.”

    Also speaking at the event, the international representative on the NBBF board, Col. Samuel Ahmedu (rtd) denied claims that FIBA did not recognize their election.

    “According to the letter sent to the different groups and the NOC, FIBA categorically stated that they were investigating the allegations of government interference during the conduct of the June 13 elections held in Abuja under the supervision of NOC.”

    Ahmedu said the result of their findings will determine FIBA’s decision. He corroborated the VP’s claim that the Kano group just wanted to create an artificial crisis where there was none.

    “Despite our clear cut directives to teams not to participate in the final 6 and final 8 competitions subject to approval, we still compromised and allowed the teams that emerged from that championship to represent Nigeria at the international stage.”

    Ahmedu who is the Benue state basketball association Chairman pointed fingers at the former board for several attempts to sabotage the country’s effort during the preparations for the cup of nations for men and women.

    “When we were preparing for the women’s competition, the former board called some of the players not to report to camp because a special camping arrangement had been made for the players to be camped in Tunisia. For the men, most of the 2015 set who won the Afrobasket were influenced not to come play for their fatherland. Because of that, many of them gave different excuses while some demanded to be paid as much as 200,000 dollars before playing for Nigeria.”

    The players’ representative on the board, Ejike Ugboaja maintained that FIBA who are interested in promoting the game globally will look for alternatives rather than banning Nigeria who are the reigning champions in the African cup of nations for women and FIBA Africa 3×3 competition for men.

    “The players just want to play basketball. We are tired of the efforts by some people to destroy the fibre of basketball in Nigeria.”

    He blamed Umar for the crisis rocking the Nigerian basketball and the embarrassment at the international level.

    “He knew his time was up, that was why he went to Kano to conduct an election on the 12th of June. His plan was to use the election to muddle up the pond and create a rancorous situation which will force round table discussions.”

    He said in line with the FIBA guidelines, the former president of the NBBF, Tijani Umar has completed his mandate of 2 terms and he is statute barred to even contest for another term of 4 years.

  • Umar calls for fresh election as ban by FIBA looms

    Umar calls for fresh election as ban by FIBA looms

    Tijani Umar, President of a faction of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), on Thursday said his group was ready for moves to put an end to the impasse in Nigerian basketball.

    Umar told newsmen in Abuja, after emerging from a meeting convened by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), said they were ready if fresh elections were needed to end the logjam.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NOC had invited both groups in the leadership tussle, led by Umar and Musa Kida, to a meeting in another move at resolution.

    The meeting had seen the NOC asking both parties to state their claims, and later asking them to meet separately to agree on a solution, before returning to the larger meeting.

    However, both groups had failed to reach a compromise, leading to NOC resolving to contact them later after consultations with other stakeholders.

    However, while Kida had emerged from the meeting and had decided not to talk to waiting journalists, Umar stated his position and even offered an olive branch.

    “We have had a very long session, and it is a great opportunity for us to end the situation we are in.

    “But it was all clear that, to FIBA through its letter of July, the two elections held in June were not in accordance with its statutes.

    “So, no federation has been in place since, even though in view of letters from the NOC and the Ministry of Youths and Sports that they observed the Abuja election, the Kida group was the channel of correspondence with Nigeria.

    “However, this meeting has given us an opportunity, and the NOC gave us time off from the meeting to resolve.

    “We were honest with each other and it was clear to each of us that we both mean well for Nigerian basketball.

    “But to us in my group, leading the federation should be through a due process, and this is what I have stood for,’’ Umar said.

    He however said the other group were only trying to cry wolf where there was none in matters of eligibility to contest and guidelines for the elections.

    “In 2013, some of those on the other side wrote to FIBA and others that our board came in through the Ministry of Youths and Sports.

    “FIBA, at the end of it all made it clear to us all that the Ministry should henceforth not be involved, and that federations are supposed to be autonomous bodies and financially independent.

    “On second thought, the other party took us to court after this and last May the court ruled in our favour.

    “Since that 2013 and thereafter, we started the process of correcting all the anomalies, which involved all stakeholders, and both FIBA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have agreed with this and wished us well.

    “This is what resulted in the guidelines we used for our elections in Kano on June 12. We tried to avoid what we have today by deriving our guidelines from the NBBF Constitution.

    “The forces against us tried to even stop the Kano elections when they saw we were adamant, used thugs and other means of intimidation, but we stood our ground.

    “But they must know that the era of interference is not possible again. You can’t impose leadership on federations again,’’ Umar said.

    He however said diplomacy was what his group was adopting now in trying to resolve the crisis, and would be ready for an amicable resolution that would move the game forward.

    “Effectively, the only solution is for the federation, or FIBA, to come and conduct fresh free and fair elections. We are ready for this, for the sake of the game, the players, coaches, referees, umpires, other officials and other stakeholders.

    “This is what we believe will help us put away what we have on ground now,’’ Umar said.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sport’s world ruling bodY, FIBA  had given Nigeria up till Nov. 30 to resolve the impasse.