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Nigeria’s D’Tigers Gear Up For AfroBasket Battle As Camp Kicks Off Today

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1 year ago

February 10, 2025

Ireporteronline

D’Tigers Set The Court On Fire! Nigeria’s AfroBasket Camp Kicks Off Today — See Time & Date

Nigeria’s national basketball team, D’Tigers, has officially begun preparations for the next phase of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers, with 11 home-based players reporting to training camp in Abuja today, February 10. The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) confirmed that foreign-based players will join the camp later this month…….READ MORE

Nigeria’s national basketball team, D’Tigers, has officially begun preparations for the next phase of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers, with 11 home-based players reporting to training camp in Abuja today, February 10. The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) confirmed that foreign-based players will join the camp later this month.

On Sunday, the NBBF released a preliminary 24-man roster ahead of the third phase of qualifiers scheduled to take place in Tripoli, Libya, from February 17 to 24.

Training Schedule

The training will unfold in two phases. The first phase starts today with the home-based players gathering at the Bentley Hotel in Abuja, running until February 16. The second phase will see the arrival of international players in Tripoli on February 17, as they prepare for the qualifiers.

Former Nigerian international, Deji Akindele, has been appointed as the interim coach and will lead the team through the qualifiers. D’Tigers are aiming to improve their position in Group B, following struggles in previous qualifying matches. Only the top three teams will advance to the main tournament in Angola in 2025.

Preliminary Squad Highlights

The 24-man roster includes a mix of domestic and international talents. Key players include:

Zaid Hearst (Zamora, Spain)
Okiki Michael (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
Sulaimon Azeez (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria)
Ike Nwamu (CCMB, France) – Team Captain
Christian Mekowulu (Akita Northern Happinets, Japan)
Talib Zanna (KK Cibona, Croatia)

Full Preliminary Squad

Zaid Hearst (Zamora, Spain)
Okiki Michael (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
Sulaimon Azeez (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria)
Mike Nuga (Valmiera Glass, Latvia)
Rayyan AR Salis (Gboko City Chiefs, Nigeria)
Ike Nwamu (CCMB, France) – Captain
Patrick Abah (Royal Hoopers, Nigeria)
Agada Caleb (Avtador, Russia)
Abel Offia (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
Ugochukwu Simon (Virtus Ragusa, Italy)
Wisdom Anyaoha (Gboko City Chiefs, Nigeria)
Kareem Joseph (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria)
Martins Igbanu (Niigata Albirex BB, Japan)
Ifeanyi Koko (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
Ibe Agu (Customs, Nigeria)
Abdul Malik Abu (Arriva P. Cukier, Poland)
Christian Mekowulu (Akita Northern Happinets, Japan)
Talib Zanna (KK Cibona, Croatia)
Bassey Effiong (Spinet Knight, Ghana)
Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu (Pallacanestro Varese, Italy)
Vincent Buchi (Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria)
Jason Jitoboh (Vellaznimi, Kosovo)
John Egbunu (Breogan, Spain)
Clinton Osabuohein Best (Hoops & Reads, Nigeria)

D’Tigers are determined to secure their spot in Angola and make a strong statement in the AfroBasket 2025 tournament.

On Sunday, the NBBF released a preliminary 24-man roster ahead of the third phase of qualifiers scheduled to take place in Tripoli, Libya, from February 17 to 24.

Training Schedule

The training will unfold in two phases. The first phase starts today with the home-based players gathering at the Bentley Hotel in Abuja, running until February 16. The second phase will see the arrival of international players in Tripoli on February 17, as they prepare for the qualifiers.

Former Nigerian international, Deji Akindele, has been appointed as the interim coach and will lead the team through the qualifiers. D’Tigers are aiming to improve their position in Group B, following struggles in previous qualifying matches. Only the top three teams will advance to the main tournament in Angola in 2025.