February, 10 2023.
Even with a sort of a truce in the crisis rocking Nigeria's basketball, now in place; Nigeria has cited paucity of funds as reason for its inability to raise a formidable team for the fifth and final window of qualifiers in Luanda, for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, for men to be co-hosted by three Asian countries.
A grossly under-strenght, and much changed Nigeria D'Tigers side, will go into the games in Luanda, starting from February 26th, knowing that their qualification for the World Cup in Asia, is hanging just by a thread.
Estranged Head Coach, Mike Brown had previously spoken of his desire to see his D'Tigers team, make a quick burst off the blocks; and stem the tide of slow starts, which has plagued the team over the first two qualifying windows. (Nigeria didn't play in the third window).
D'Tigers lost their first game of the first window to eventual group leaders Cape Verde 79-71, and also lost their first game of the second window 79-70 to the same opposition to finish with two wins from four games, on the log.
Mike Brown, Head Coach of the Sacramento Kings in the NBA won't be with the team in Luanda; and his place will be taken by the seasoned coach Ogor Daudu of Rivers Hoopers.
The game against Angola, at the arena in Luanda starts from 7pm Nigerian time.
Nigeria's chances of qualifying for the world cup is completely out of their hands, and winning her remaining game; does not fix all of the damages, already done.
However, beating Angola at home, and victories over Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea; may suffice, if some other results, involving other teams turn out in favour of D'Tigers of Nigeria; and this is basically why Coach Brown's top priority is for the team to make a good start in their very first game.
Sixteen African teams are competing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, African Qualifiers through five tournament windows, and over a period of 15 months.
The Qualifiers began from November 2021 and ends in February 2023, with five African national teams earning a spot in the FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup 2023 that's scheduled to take place in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines, from August 25th to September 10th, 2023.
Nineteen (19) home based players, and two (2) unattached foreign pros, made up the list of invited players that will begin camping in Abuja, on Sunday.
Complete List of Invited Players/Officials:
GOMBE BULLS:
✓ Odufuwa Kanyinsola
✓ Abdulwahab Yakubu
✓ Wisdom Anyoaha
✓ Chibuzor Njoku
✓ Okiki Micheal
RIVERS HOOPERS:
✓ Adebayo Odeuleye
✓ Vincent Nwaiwu
✓Johnson Anaiye
✓ Victor Koko
KWARA FALCONS:
✓ Victor Ezeh
✓Dada Samuel
✓ Tolani Buhari
✓ Kareem Joseph
NIGERIA CUSTOMS:
✓ Micheal Daramola
✓ Israel Otobo
✓ Ibe Agu
KANO PILLARS:
✓ Nnoruka Francis
✓ Chinedu Chimbou
BENUE BRAVES:
✓ Abah Patrick
FREE AGENTS:
✓ Olatunji Graham - USA
✓ Edenchukwu Derrick- USA
COACHING CREW:
Head Coach
✓ Ogoh Odaudu
Asst. Coaches
✓ Baba Jubril
✓ Abdulrahman Mohammed
Physio and Trainer
✓ Isaac Godwin
General Manager
✓ Musa Adamu