D’Tigers’ Head Coach, Alex Nwora is determined to finish the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers on a high despite missing some key players.
Portland Trail Blazers guard, Al Farouq Aminu, Stanley Okoye, Obinna Emegano, Ike Nwamu and Christopher Obekpa, will play no part in the final qualifying campaign billed to tip off from from February 22 to the 24 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
Nwora revealed that the Technical crew had to scout round for quality replacements to fill the void left by the missing stars.
“Since we don’t have all the players who took part in the last window who are familiar with the National team, we are still able to bring a couple of new players who have not played before to fill in the void,” Nwora told the Nigerian Basketball Federation media department.
“I am fortunate to still have players like Ike Diogu, Deji Akindele, Ike Iroegbu and a couple of players who know my system and coaching philosophy which is giving your best to the great country Nigeria.”
“We just have to make sure that when the light is on, we give it everything we have and show that we are the dominant team in Africa.”
“Everybody wants to play for their country, they are very proud to be here and wear the green white green. With the new federation coming in and doing what they are doing, the players want to come back and play because the condition has been favourable and they are happy to be here.”
The 2015 FIBA African champions, D’Tigers currently on a nine-game winning streak in the qualifiers will face Senegal, Cote d’ Ivoire and Central African Republic in the bid to go unbeaten in the qualifiers.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
