D’Tigers Unveil Squad For FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, Depart For Tunis

Nigeria’s senior men basketball team, D’Tigers’ head coach, Abdulrahaman Mohammed has announced his final 12-man squad for the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament, set to take place in Tunis, Tunisia.

The team features veteran guard and 2015 Afrobasket champion, Stanley Okoye, who is the longest-serving player on the roster.

The squad is blended with overseas and homegrown players, reflecting Nigeria’s commitment to nurturing domestic talent. Included in the selected lineup are three standout players from local clubs: Chinkpa Garba and Obekpa Chris from the newly crowned champions, Lagos Legends, and Paul Dibal from Gboko City Chiefs, whose recent form earned him selection.

Other squad members comprise Jordan Ogundiran based in Denmark, Ike Nwamu from Turkey, Mike Nuga from Canada, Simon Ugochukwu from Italy, Augustine Okafor from the UK, Zanna from the USA, Udeze Morris Chidera from Spain, and Olisa Akinobi from the USA.

D’Tigers have already departed for Tunisia, where they will compete in Group C against the host nation, Tunisia, Rwanda, and Guinea.

The African qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA World Cup will unfold across five windows from November 2025 to February 2027, featuring 16 teams drawn into four groups following their qualification for FIBA AfroBasket 2025.

Coach Abdulrahaman Mohammed will be supported by Akindele Ayodeji from the USA and Job Nelson from Bahrain, with Onyebuchi Onyeka serving as the video coach.