Ahead of the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament which begins on Monday, August 12, 2023 at the Eko Convention Centre on Lagos Island, head Coach of D’Tigers, Ogoh Odaudu has expressed confidence that the players in camp will deliver the desired qualification ticket for Nigeria.
Speaking during a phone interview, Odaudu said the players since arriving have shown commitment and are ready to get the job done.
“All the players expected are in camp and are ready to give their all. As a team, we’re focused on ensuring that we deliver as expected. No doubt, every team coming for this tournament has the same vision of winning and getting qualification for the qualification tournament proper. Everyone in camp is focused on that I must tell you.”
Phoenix Sun forward Chimezie Metu has called on Nigeria fans to come out enmass to support D’Tigers to ensure victory to enable them go for the qualifier proper.
“In a few days time, other nations will be joining us to seek a qualification on our soil, we won’t allow them. We need your support to as we battle them,” he stated.
Over the past few years,Metu’s name has became synonymous with D’Tigers leadership. The only NBA player in the Nigeria’s squad, Metu hasn’t missed an assignment since his national team debut at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.
The leading scorer and rebounder four years ago and a key member of the D’Tigers at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Metu is the man Nigeria has high expectations of in order to keep their 2024 Olympics dream alive.
D’Tigers will open their campaign on Monday against Senegal while Mali takes on Uganda.
Nigeria is drawn alongside Senegal, Mali and Uganda in Group A while Congo DR, Cameroon, Guinea and Tunisia make up Group B.
The winners of each FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament will line up at one of next July’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, with the winners of those clinching spots for Paris 2024.
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