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Nigeria’s D’Tigers begin qualification for AfroCan Basketball Championship
BY MAXWELL KUMOYE
Nigeria’s male senior national team D’Tigers will begin their quest to reach the finals of the 2023 African Basketball Championship scheduled to hold in July in Angola.
The qualifiers begin this Friday at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Abidjan the Ivorian capital.
The12- man team breezed into Abidjan on Thursday from Lagos.
The President of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Musa Ahmadu Kida said travelling by road to Abidjan was never in the Federation’s plan for D’Tigers.
“If well planned in advance, a team can travel by road or ship to Abidjan but as has been our custom and tradition in the NBBF, we make sure all the national team players get the very best travelling experience and that’s what we offered them.” Kida stated.
He further explained that out-right falsehood, half truth and innuendos by a particular online publication in recent times will not be treated lightly again as it’s damaging the domestic game and equally driving away the much needed sponsorship from both the government and the private sector.
Three countries from FIBA Africa Zone 3 and one country from Zone 2 are in Abidjan to fight for the sole ticket from the combine Zone 2 and 3 make shift arrangement by FIBA Africa for next month quadrangle AfroCan Championship in Luanda, Angola next month.
FIBA Africa had to hurriedly arrange this make shift Qualifiers due to the fact that seven countries from domant FIBA Africa Zone 2 did not register for the Qualifiers while five other countries in the inactive Zone 3 turned a blind eye to the event.
Countries from Zone 3 that are in the Ivorian capital are Benin Republic, host nation Cote d’Ivoire and Africa’s number one slamming and dunking country, Nigeria. Guinea is holding it down for Zone 2 in Abidjan.
The opening match of the AfroCan Basketball Qualifiers is the confrontation between host Cote d’Ivoire against new comers Benin while hot favourite D’Tigers of Nigeria under the stewardship of coach Ogoh Odaudu will file out against familiar face Guinea in the second game of Match Day 1.
The head Coach of D’Tigers, Ogoh Odaudu, said that the team is in Abidjan for serious business and to get the job done.
Ogoh Odaudu, who led the D’Tigers to a remarkable outing in the sixth and final Window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Angola in February this year has assembled a twelve man team that will surely give Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea and first timers Benin Republic a run for their money when the Qualifiers tips off today.
Ogoh Odaudu is in Abidjan with the same technical crew, Baba Jubril and Abdulrahman Mohammed. He is confident of a good showing. The roster consists of nine players of the team that represented Nigeria at the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Angola in February this year.
Abdulwahab Yakubu, Israel Otobo and Lekan Olatunji make way for Bayo Oduleye, Tolani Buhari and Abba Adamu Adam.
“We’re not here for sightseeing but strictly for business. Our target is to get the qualification ticket first and then prepare for the bigger battle. Our participation in 2019 was a learning experience and we don’t want to let this opportunity slip off our fingers,” he stated.
Nigeria, finished second from bottom during the maiden edition of the AfroCan in 2019 and the country is eagerly looking forward to returning to the championship in Angola.
The winner of this qualifier will be added to Group A in the 2023 AfroCan alongside Kenya and Gabon. It’s the last qualifying ticket for the 12-nation AfroCan as FIBA Africa will attribute one wildcard to complete the tournament’s line-up.
Host Cote d’Ivoire are the biggest threat to Nigeria picking the ticket in Abidjan.
Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire met twice during the World Cup qualifiers in Abidjan and Luanda.
D’Tigers lost in Abidjan but defeated Cote d’Ivoire in Luanda. D’Tigers also met Guinea on two occasions during the World Cup Qualifiers and they won both games.
At the last AfroCan finals, Cote D’Ivoire were a step above Nigeria on the table while Guinea was first from the rear in 2019. Benin Republic will be hoping to reach the finals for the first time.
The coach of the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, Assad John Kadi, has seven members of Elan Coton Basketball Club, winners of the Benin League to produce the fire power and much needed chemistry for them to succeed at the Qualifiers after two weeks of grueling camping program.
NIGERIA TEAM LIST:
✓ Anaiye Johnson Ojoneka
✓ Anyaoha Wisdom Christian
✓ Ezeh Victor Tochukwu
✓ Oduleye Adebayo Adebola
✓ Chimbuo Chinedu Martins
✓ Afuwape Michael Okiki
✓ Daramola Michael Ilerioluwa
✓ Odufuwa Kanyinsola Joseph
✓ Agu Ibe Abuchi
✓ Koko Victor Anthony
✓ Buhari Tolani Ibrahim
✓ Adamu Adam Abba
COACHES:
✓ Ogoh Odaudu – Head Coach
✓ Baba Jibril – Assistant Coach
✓ Abdulrahman Mohammed – Assistant Coach
Match fixtures
JUNE 30 (Friday)
- Cote d’Ivoire vs Benin
- Nigeria vs Guinea
JULY 01 (Saturday)
- Guinea vs Cote d’Ivoire
- Benin Republic vs Nigeria
JULY 02 (Sunday)
- Cote d’Ivoire vs Nigeria
- Guinea vs Benin Republic
Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD had targeted their Group F opener as their best chance to get a win on the board at the Club World Cup, with Brazil’s Fluminense and German side Borussia Dortmund expected to advance from Group F.
South Africa’s Sundowns took all three points with a 1-0 win over the South Koreans and went top of the group after Fluminense drew 0-0 with Dortmund.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
African and Asian teams are not expected to make much of an impact at the new-look 32-team Club World Cup so points are like gold dust for the likes of the Sundowns and Ulsan.
KEY QUOTES
Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns coach: “We prepared tactically and strategically very well, and then we found a commitment between everybody. I think it was clear we made a very wonderful first half. It was important that we could keep the pace and not stray from the game plan in the second half, so that we could score a second goal that for little details or little centimetres, we could not do.”
Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD head coach: “We had targeted this game to win because we understand the other two teams in the group, Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund, are favourites. Our players gave their best efforts in this game and we’re very proud of their efforts. Now we need to recover quickly for the next game.”
-Reuters
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With a year until Mexico makes history as the first three-time World Cup host, the dream of a spectacular showcase is colliding with the practical challenges of modernising the iconic Azteca Stadium for global soccer’s premier event.
Beneath the imposing silhouette of Mexico’s football cathedral – where Pele dazzled with Brazil in 1970 and Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ propelled Argentina to glory in 1986 – construction crews tackle the formidable task of bringing one of the sport’s most storied venues into the 21st century.
The stakes are magnified as the ‘Santa Ursula colossus’ will host the tournament’s opening match, a global spectacle that will focus the world’s attention on Mexico from day one.
Renovations will expand the stadium’s capacity from 87,000 to 90,000, with upgrades centred on meeting FIFA standards through new changing rooms, enhanced hospitality zones, revamped VIP areas and additional seating in spaces previously occupied by boxes and lounges.
While government officials and football administrators envisioned the project as a symbol of national pride, the renovation process has eroded trust between developers, local residents and other stakeholders.
Stadium administrators announced in February that they had secured a 2.1 billion peso ($110.19 million) credit line from local financial group Banorte – along with a controversial new name: Estadio Banorte.
FIFA regulations mean the stadium will be referred to as “Estadio Ciudad de Mexico” during the World Cup, yet the rebranding has sparked a fierce backlash from some fans, who view it as sacrificing football heritage for commercial interests.
HARSH REALITY
The backlash over the stadium’s new name represents only one facet of the mounting tensions. Box and suite holders – some with relationships spanning decades – have threatened legal action after FIFA announced it would commandeer their seats during the tournament, overriding established contracts.
One member of the Mexican Association of Box Holders has already filed a legal challenge to defend access rights.
Beyond the stadium walls, frustration runs equally deep. Residents of Santa Ursula and surrounding neighbourhoods fear that promised infrastructure improvements like pedestrian bridges and transit lines will fail to address fundamental issues including inadequate lighting, water shortages and persistent traffic congestion.
“We’re not the stadium’s backyard,” one local resident told Expansion Politica. “But we’re always treated that way.”
By contrast, Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico’s other two host cities, face fewer obstacles.
Guadalajara’s 48,000-seat stadium, opened in 2010, has already hosted major events including the 2011 Pan American Games, while Monterrey’s 53,500-capacity venue, inaugurated in 2015, needs only minor upgrades – primarily new turf and a pitch ventilation system.
“We’ll install a system to ventilate and oxygenate the pitch before replacing the grass,” said Alejandro Hutt, Monterrey’s Host City Manager. “That will be an important legacy from the World Cup and beyond.”
As construction continues, Javier Aguirre’s Mexico squad are building towards a crucial summer, with a Gold Cup title defence ahead and friendly matches against Turkey this week, followed by Japan and South Korea in September.
After failing to advance beyond the group stage at Qatar 2022 – their worst World Cup performance since 1978 – Mexican fans crave more than just a well organised tournament. They want to see Mexico break the ‘fifth-game‘ curse and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986, the last time they were World Cup hosts.
-Reuters
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All contenders are now known for this year’s President Federation Cup grand finale, following Saturday’s elimination of Edo Queens and Ibom Angels in the women’s semi-finals.
Multiple-winners Rivers Angels saw off the stiff challenge of Ibom Angels of Uyo 1-0 in Aba, while Nasarawa Amazons bumped Edo Queens 2-0 in Ayingba.
Cup holders Rivers Angels, who have won the competition nine times, will have their hands full against 2005 and 2019 champions Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia.
In the men’s competition, Abakaliki FC of Ebonyi are getting set to tackle Kwara United FC in the final.
Results of Semi Finals (Women)
- Rivers Angels (Rivers) 1-0 Ibom Angels (Akwa Ibom)
- Edo Queens (Edo) 0-2 Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa)
Results of Semi-Finals (Men)
- Abakaliki FC (Ebonyi) 0-0 Ikorodu City (Lagos) – Abakaliki FC win 5-4 on penalties
- Kwara United (Kwara) 1-0 Rangers Int’l (Enugu)
WOMEN’S FINAL
- Rivers Angels vs Nasarawa Amazons
MEN’S FINAL
- Abakaliki FC VS Kwara United
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