Gombe Bulls head coach Samson John has criticised Nigeria’s preparation for the recent FIBA World Cup qualifying window, saying the lack of structured planning and proper training time severely undermined the team’s performance.
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John described Nigeria’s approach as “disjointed and unprofessional,” highlighting that the national team held short, rushed camps, and several players arrived just days, or even hours, before games, leaving no time to build chemistry.
“Our preparation was very poor. You can’t assemble players two or three days before a qualifier and expect miracles. It doesn’t work that way,” he said.
He contrasted Nigeria’s methods with those of other African countries who consistently gather their squads monthly for training, tactical sessions, and team bonding.
“Other nations bring their teams together every month to train and build unity. They prepare methodically. We wait until the last minute and then panic,” John stated.
The coach revealed that during the recent qualifying window, some Nigerian players arrived at the venue before even meeting their teammates in camp, a situation he called unacceptable for a country with Nigeria’s basketball pedigree.
“Imagine players landing at the venue before they’ve even trained with the team. How do you expect cohesion? How do you expect execution?” he questioned.
John argued that this lack of structure not only affects short-term results but also damages long-term development, as players are unable to understand the system, roles, and game plan.
“Basketball is a team sport built on chemistry and understanding. Without time together, you have nothing. That’s why performances suffer,” he explained.
He urged the Nigeria Basketball Federation to adopt a consistent, year-round calendar, similar to other nations who prepare meticulously for international competitions.
“We must fix the structure. Preparation should not be an afterthought. If we want better results, we must train properly and regularly,” he said.
John concluded by warning that unless Nigeria changes its preparatory culture, the national team will continue to underperform on the continent.
“We have talent, plenty of it. But without proper preparation, talent is wasted. We must do better,” he said firmly.
