Gombe Bulls head coach Samson John has blamed poor preparation and late camping for the struggles of Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, following their mixed results in the recent FIBA World Cup qualifying window.
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Nigeria managed just one win and two losses during the qualifiers, a performance John believes was predictable given how the team was assembled.
“You cannot expect good results when players are brought together just days before competition,” John said.
The former national team player explained that D’Tigers’ preparation pales in comparison to other countries, where national teams are assembled regularly to train, build chemistry and develop systems.
“Other countries camp monthly. They train together, understand each other, and build unity. In Nigeria, players arrive and meet themselves at the venue,” he stated.
John revealed that during the last qualifiers, some players barely had time to understand tactical instructions before being thrown into competitive games.
“Some players arrived, met their teammates for the first time, and were expected to perform immediately. That is not how basketball works,” he said.
According to the Gombe Bulls coach, the solution lies in early and extended camping, which would allow coaches to assess players properly and develop combinations.
“You need at least two weeks, ideally a month, to evaluate players, build chemistry and prepare tactically,” John explained.
He warned that without proper planning, D’Tigers will continue to struggle against well-organized opponents, regardless of individual talent.
“Talent alone is not enough. Basketball is about systems, timing and understanding. Those things take time,” he noted.
John also stressed that the responsibility lies with basketball authorities to prioritize preparation over last-minute arrangements.
“If we keep doing things this way, the results will not change. Authorities must plan better,” he said.
Despite his criticism, John believes Nigeria still has the talent to compete at the highest level if structural issues are addressed.
“Nigeria has good players. What we lack is preparation. Fix that, and the results will improve,” he concluded.
As D’Tigers look ahead to future qualifiers, John’s message is clear: better planning is not optional — it is essential.
