Nigeria has announced a 12-man team for the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers. Newly appointed coach David Fizdale will lead the D’Tigers in their first competitive games.
The qualifiers start on Thursday in Angola. Nigeria will compete against Tunisia, Guinea, and Rwanda. They need these games to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The team includes experienced players and rising stars from leagues in Europe, North America, and Africa. This shows Nigeria’s commitment to returning to the global basketball scene.
Chimezie Metu, a former NBA forward, will captain the team. His experience will help with leadership and versatility. Joining him are seasoned guards Stan Okoye, Ike Iroegbu, and UC Iroegbu. Caleb Agada is also back after proving himself as one of D’Tigers’ reliable players in recent years.
The squad also has Daniel Utomi, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, Christian Mekowulu, Martins Igbanu, Wesley Iwundu, Michael Eric, and Paul Dibal. This mix gives Coach Fizdale a good balance of size, speed, shooting skills, and defense.
Fizdale will have help from a strong coaching team. His assistants are David Vanterpool, Ekpe Udoh, Caesar Adim, and Deji Akindele. This marks a new chapter for Nigeria under one of the best coaching teams the national team has had.
Nigeria’s Schedule
The D’Tigers will play three matches in Angola:
2 July: Nigeria vs Tunisia
3 July: Nigeria vs Guinea
5 July: Nigeria vs Rwanda
With qualification points on the line, Nigeria wants to start strong under Fizdale. They aim to prove themselves again as one of Africa’s top basketball teams. The mix of experienced players and a dedicated coaching staff gives D’Tigers a chance to make a statement in Angola.
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