Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-27 04:04:09
Nigeria’s performance at the first window of the 2025 AfroBasket qualifiers in Monastir, Tunisia, was disappointing due to lack of support and preparation time, according to players and officials. The team arrived in Monastir on the same day as the opening game and suffered defeats to Libya, Uganda, and Cape Verde.
Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed commended his team for their efforts despite the challenging circumstances, emphasizing the need for proper funding and preparation to improve performance in future competitions. He highlighted the importance of practice sessions in eliminating mistakes and producing better results.
WNBA star Nneka Ogwumike echoed the sentiments, expressing Nigeria’s potential to become a dominant force in basketball with adequate support and structure. She emphasized the impact of proper preparation on team performance, urging stakeholders to prioritize equipping the country’s teams for success.
Bright Osagie Akhuetie, one of the standout players in Nigeria’s campaign, attributed the team’s struggles in Tunisia to poor planning and lack of practice. He emphasized the importance of structured preparation as a key factor in achieving better results, suggesting that a longer training period would have made a significant difference in the team’s performance.
The defeat to Cape Verde marked Nigeria’s third consecutive loss in the AfroBasket qualifiers, highlighting the challenges faced by the team in the competition. With only nine players available for each game due to a shortage in the squad, D’Tigers faced an uphill battle against their opponents.
Looking ahead to the second phase of the qualifiers in February 2025, D’Tigers will need to regroup and deliver an improved performance to secure a spot in the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket. With only the top three teams from the group advancing to the main tournament, Nigeria faces a tough task in overcoming the setbacks from the first window.
Overall, the players and officials emphasized the importance of adequate support, funding, and preparation in maximizing Nigeria’s potential in basketball. Despite the challenges faced in Monastir, there is a belief in the team’s ability to succeed with the right resources and structure in place. By addressing these key areas, Nigeria can aim to achieve greater success on the international stage and fulfill their potential as a basketball powerhouse.
