Director general of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade has come out with an affirmation that the country’s men’s basketball national team, D’Tigers belong among Africa’s elite in the sport of giants.
Sports247 reports that Olopade provided the verdict as a morale booster for the history chasing squad, which travelled out of Lagos on Tuesday for the 2026 FIBA World Cup African qualifiers taking place in Luanda, Angola.
Casting a look at Nigeria’s chances in the competition, which will begin this Thursday and run until Sunday, Olopade expressed confidence in the ability of D’Tigers to make the country proud, but charged the players to stay totally committed.
Olopade further urged the players to approach every game with a high level of discipline, resilience and immense fighting spirit, even as he expressed confidence in their new coach, David Fizdale to spur his squad towards positive results.
The American tactician will be supported by five assistant coaches and two trainers, in a 29-member delegation, which consists of 12 players and 17 officials for the decisive FIBA Africa World Cup qualifying window.
However, the delegation, which also has a general manager, chief of staff, two equipment managers, medical personnel, security officer, media officer and secretary of Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), is in a race against time.
That is because the players will have just a single training session on Wednesday before lining out for their first game against Tunisia on Thursday, thereby giving Fizdale and his squad limited time to prepare before facing a very tough opponent.
Nevertheless, D’Tigers will have to hit the ground running, as they are currently third in their qualification group – behind leaders Guinea and second-placed Tunisia – meaning they need a strong performance to reach the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
Olopade, though, is staying upbeat, as he declared: “D’Tigers have demonstrated that they belong among Africa’s basketball elite. Nigerians believe in their ability, and we are confident they will give their very best in pursuit of qualification.”
Sports247 reports further that D’Tigers will commence their campaign in the Angolan capital against Tunisia on Thursday, then tango Guinea on Friday and conclude the qualification window against Rwanda on Sunday, July 5th.
