D’Tigers Gear Up for AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers

The Nigerian men’s national basketball team, popularly known as D’Tigers, has begun intensive preparations for the upcoming FIBA AfroBasket 2025 qualifiers. The team’s training camp opened yesterday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos, with a mix of local and foreign-based players in attendance.

Head coach Ogoh Odaudu has called up a 20-man preliminary squad, which includes NBA players such as Chimezie Metu of the Sacramento Kings and Josh Okogie of the Phoenix Suns. The inclusion of these established stars alongside emerging talents from the Nigerian domestic league has created a buzz of excitement among basketball fans across the country.

“We have assembled a strong group of players who are eager to represent Nigeria,” Coach Odaudu said during a press conference. “Our goal is to qualify for AfroBasket 2025 and then go on to compete for the title. We believe we have the talent and determination to achieve this.”

The D’Tigers, who finished third in the last edition of AfroBasket in 2021, will be looking to secure one of the qualifying spots from their group, which includes Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Cape Verde.

Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President Musa Kida expressed confidence in the team’s prospects, stating, “We’ve made significant strides in recent years, and I believe this group of players can take us even further. The federation is providing all necessary support to ensure our success in the qualifiers and beyond.”

The first round of qualifiers is scheduled to take place next month, with Nigeria hosting one of the qualifying tournaments. Basketball enthusiasts across the nation are eagerly anticipating the D’Tigers’ quest for AfroBasket glory.