D’Tigers 2021 Afrobasket qualifiers’ final camp opens on November 23

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has disclosed that it will open D’Tigers’ final camp for the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket qualifiers on November 23, 2020.

NBBF Secretary General, Afolabi-Oluwayemi Olabisi, said the players are expected to fly into Kigali.

On the duration of the final exercise, NBBF President, Ahmadu Musa Kida, revealed that the federation would have loved to have a longer training camp for the qualifiers, but due to the prevailing factors, camp will have to open four days before the team’s first game.

“A longer camping period would have been the best option for the team. It would have enabled the boys to have enough time to blend under Coach Mike Brown.

“Some of the players are preparing for the new season with their clubs while some are actively involved in the Euro League, so we cannot snatch them away for long.”

The NBBF president also explained that the financial implication on the federation also discouraged any attempt to embark on an extended final camping exercise.

“We have to be honest with ourselves as a federation. Funding is a key determinant for most of our plans and programmes. According to the popular saying, cut your coat according to your cloth, but for us at the federation, it is cutting our cost according to our cloth. Maybe in the future, when our financial fortunes improve, we can camp players for as long as necessary.”

The technical crew has invited players after a series of mini scouting with 12 expected to make the final list.

The team is grouped alongside host- Rwanda, Mali, and Algeria, who recently withdrew from the qualifiers taking place from November 27 to 29 in Kigali.