Olopade Charges D’Tigers to Capitalize on World Cup Qualifiers Window, as Final 12-Man Roster is Named

Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Basketball Team, D’Tigers, has unveiled its final 12-man roster for the fourth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers, with Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, charging the team to seize the opportunity and take a decisive step towards securing Nigeria’s place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Speaking ahead of the window, Olopade urged the players and technical crew to make the opportunity count, stressing that the team must remain focused on the ultimate objective of qualification.

“This is a very important window for D’Tigers and for Nigerian basketball. We have a talented group of players and an experienced technical team, and now is the time to translate that quality into results.

“I am charging the team to take full advantage of this window, play with unity, discipline and the Nigerian fighting spirit, and put themselves in the strongest possible position to secure qualification for the FIBA World Cup.

“The entire nation is behind you, and we expect you to represent Nigeria with pride and give your very best for the country,” Olopade said.

The star-studded roster comprises Chimezie Metu, Josh Okogie, Caleb Agada, Stan Okoye, Chima Moneke, Ike Nwamu, Udoka Azubuike, Efe Abogidi, Ebuka Izundu, Manny Obaseki, Jordan Ogundiran and Paul Dibal.

The team will be led by Head Coach David Fizdale, with Dan Craig, Quinton Crawford, Deji Akindele and Dapo Adegibile serving as assistant coaches.

With the fourth window representing another crucial stage in Nigeria’s qualification campaign, D’Tigers are expected to approach the games with determination, discipline and a strong sense of national pride as they seek to strengthen their position and move closer to earning a place at the global showpiece.

D’Tigers will open the window campaign against Cameroon on August 27, before facing South Sudan on August 28 and rounding off their group fixtures against Cape Verde on August 30.

All three group games will take place in Rades, Tunisia, with the Nigerian side looking to make the most of the crucial window as they pursue qualification for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The NSC, while reaffirming its commitment to the continued support of the team, wished D’Tigers success as they take on the challenge and work towards achieving their World Cup qualification objective.

The Commission calls on Nigerians to rally behind the team as they continue their pursuit of a place among the world’s best basketball nations.