D’Tigers’ sensation and captain of the team, Ike Nwamu, has raised the stakes for the Nigerian national team, as he says it’s critical for them to win the ongoing African Men’s Senior Basketball Championship in Luanda, Angola, as they have to help their country regain its pedigree in the sport of giants.
Sports247 reports that Nwamu, who was D’Tigers’ joint-top scorer with 12 points, alongside Michael Mekowelu, in Sunday’s 99-90 tight victory over Cameroon, also acknowledged that winning the competition would be a historic achievement for him personally.
Nwamu, who was born in California, USA, but now plays for Sokot Lancut of Poland, further disclosed that he had dreamt for many years about being in a title-winning squad for Nigeria, hence the sheer delight he has in being part of D’Tigers’ ongoing surge in Angola.
The member of a squad that fell short in 2017, just two years after winning the country’s only title in 2015, retorted gleefully: “It’s a priceless experience for me. It’s something I can’t describe, but what I’ve always looked forward to.
“I’ve looked forward to this experience for many years, and I first got close to it a few years ago. Gradually, after that, everything worked out, and now is my time.”
The 32-year-old ace, who believes defence is the current D’Tigers’ squad’s strongest point, raised the ante regarding their mission in Luanda, with a declaration that the time has come to win Nigeria’s second-ever AfroBasket title.
Nwamu declared, “It’s also a very important time for Nigerians, as we regain form and pick up from where we have been lagging behind, in terms of achieving at this level.
“So, it’s critical for us to achieve this target and win this championship. It will help us to develop more quality for the senior national team.”
As D’Tigers now prepare to take on Senegal or South Sudan in the AfroBasket 2025 quarter-finals at Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda, Nwamu also has a thought about Nigeria’s next generation of national team stars for the future.
“This is good for the under-17 team and the other junior teams. That’s why it’s a very wonderful experience for me personally. I look forward to enjoying more of it and making the best of it,” Nwamu submitted.
