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Tag: FIBA

  • FIBA World Cup: D’Tigers face American side in friendly

    FIBA World Cup: D’Tigers face American side in friendly

    Nigeria’s D’Tigers is set to take on the American One Orange Sports basketball team in New York, on Saturday.

    The exhibition match is part of the team’s preparations for the 2019 Federation of International Basketball (FIBA) World Cup.

    Nigeria is one of the five African countries that qualified for the tournament holding in China between Aug. 31 and Sept. 15.

    Saturday’s friendly is billed for 8 p.m. (1 a.m. in Nigeria on Sunday) at the College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle City.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the D‘Tigers defeated Dominican Republic 89-87 in a friendly encounter in San Domingo on Monday.

    They had earlier on Saturday beaten the same team, which is also World Cup-bound, 85-81 in the first lap of the two-legged friendly.

    NAN learnt from the organising committee that the Nigerian side will later proceed to Canada for yet another warm up game before heading to China.

    Meanwhile, a townhall meeting had been scheduled for Sunday evening between the team and members of the Nigerian community in New York.

    Information provided by the Nigerian consulate in New York indicates that the meeting will take place at same College of New Rochelle at 5 p.m.

  • We’ll be well prepared for 2019 FIBA World Cup – Kida

    We’ll be well prepared for 2019 FIBA World Cup – Kida

    Musa Kida, the President, Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), on Tuesday said that the national senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, would be well prepared for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.

    Nigeria ranked number one in Africa and 33 in the world and in Group B with Russia, Argentina and Korea who are ranked 10, five and 32 respectively.

    Kida told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that he was confident of the team’s quality and with a well coordinated preparation, the team would surely shock the world.

    “It is a very dicey group, with Russia a very good team from Europe and Argentina the current South American giants and against Korea who are no pushovers at the big stage.

    “We are a power house when it comes to the world stage and we are going to put up the kind of performance that will definitely shock the world.

    “We are very confident of doing well; I have no predictions but can assure everybody that at the end, it will be our best outing ever,” he said.

    “We are going to the World Cup as the number one team in Africa and the first country to qualify or the World Cup globally on the back of a nine -game unbeaten streak.

    “We are in talk with D’Tigers’ head coach, Alex Nwora, who also communicates regularly with our players in Europe and in the U.S.

    “In the coming days, we shall draw out our World Cup preparation plans which will also go side by side with the African Games.’’

    D’tigers will begin their quest to World Cup glory against Russia on Aug. 31 and clash with Argentina on Sept. 2 and also play Korea before the classification games in the second round.

  • FIBA World Cup: D’Tigers may face Argentina, Brazil, Canada

    Nigeria’s national men’s basketball team, the D’Tigers, has been placed in Pot 7 by the Federation of International Basketball (FIBA) ahead of the FIBA World Cup draw on March 16.

    According to a statement released by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) on Friday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Senegal, New Zealand and Angola complete teams placed in Pot 7.

    The statement, signed by Afolabi Oni, NBBF media officer, also said the 32 teams which qualified for the 2019 FIBA World Cup were shared among eight pots of four teams each.

    It further said the placements were based on the latest FIBA World Ranking for men after the last window of qualifiers played in February.

    “Hosts China are in Pot 1, alongside the top 3 teams in the world: USA, Spain and France. Pot 2 has Serbia, Argentina, Lithuania and Greece, while Russia, Australia, Brazil and Italy complete Pot 3.

    “Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Turkey and Venezuela are in Pot 4.

    “Germany, Czech, Poland and Iran are in Pot 5, while FIBA grouped Canada, Montenegro, Philippines and Korea in Pot 6.”

    “Japan, Jordan, Tunisia and the last African team to qualify, Cote d’Ivoire, make up teams in Pot 8,” the statement read.

    According to the guidelines released by FIBA 24 hours before the event, Pots 1, 4, 5 and 8 would feed Groups A, C, E and G while Pots 2, 3, 6 and 7 would feed Groups B, D, F and H.

    China would be placed in Group A with all their group matches to be played in Beijing and reigning world champions USA would be allocated to Group E in Shanghai.

    Group B games would be played in Wuhan, while the city of Guangzhou would host Group C.

    Foshan will play host to Group D teams.

    Group F teams would play in Nanjing, Group G in Shenzhen while Dongguan is the preferred city for Group H teams.

    The FIBA World Cup holds between the Aug. 31 and Sept. 15.

    The statement said the NBBF would be represented at the draws by Lawal Dayo, a high-ranking official at the Nigerian Embassy in China, while D’Tigers’ Team Manager, Musa Adamu, is also expected to attend the occasion.

  • FIBA: D’Tigers drop one spot in latest world ranking, retain 1st in Africa

    FIBA: D’Tigers drop one spot in latest world ranking, retain 1st in Africa

    The Nigerian national basketball team, D’Tigers has dropped one spot from their 32nd position to 33rd in the latest FIBA world ranking released on Thursday.

    D’Tigers are one of the 47 teams that dropped in the ranking despite having qualified for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.

    The 2017 FIBA AfroBasket runner-up, D’Tigers amassed 292.8 points to retain their status as the best team in Africa.

    Angola moved up one spot from third to second in Africa and one as well in the world ranking from 37 to 36 recording 266.0 points after winning all three of their games in the African Qualifiers – on home soil in Luanda – to also punch their ticket to China 2019.

    Senegal occupies the third position in Africa with 261.2 points to finish 39th in the world ranking.

    Tunisia and Egypt maintained the fourth and fifth place to be ranked 51st and 52nd respectively in the world ranking.

    Other countries in the African top ten are Cameroon who moved up five places in sixth place (58th in the world), Morocco (60th in the world), Mali (67th in the world) Cote D’ Ivoire (68th in the world) and Central African Republic (35th in the world).

    In the world ranking, USA remains the top team in the world and they are followed by Spain, France, Serbia, and Argentina in the top five. Lituania, Slovenia, Greece, Croatia, and Australia completed the top ten.

  • 2019 FIBA world cup qualifier: D’Tigers beat Uganda 102-86 points

    Nigeria’s senior men basketball team, D’Tigers on Friday, defeated Uganda 102-86 to commence their campaign for FIBA basketball world Cup 2019 African qualifiers in Bamako Mali on positive note.

    The result was made available on the official website of Nigeria Basketball Federation(NBBF).

    Uganda started the match on a bold note by leading D’Tigers 17-11 points at the end of the first quarter.

    However, they could not sustain the attack against Nigeria as they managed to pick additional 29 points against D’Tigers 36 additional points at the end of second quarter.

    The third quarter also ended 66-75 points to the disadvantage of Ugandans.

    During the match Michael Efevberha of D’Tigers made 20 points, four defence and six assists to be the leading player for Nigeria.

    Similarly, Ike Diogu contributed to Nigeria’s victory with 19 points and one assist.

    Uganda’s Jimmy Nabu scored 27 points, the highest individual point of the match but was unable to save his team from the claws of D’Tigers.

    Also, Brandon Sebirumbi, his team mate made five rebounds while R.Odoch made three assists for the Ugandan side all in the bid to turn the tide against Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Nigeria will meet Rwanda, 4.30 p.m (Nigerian time) on Saturday for its second group match of the qualifiers.

  • NBBF crisis: NOC official says FIBA deadline now Feb. 28

    World basketball governing body FIBA has extended the deadline it set for the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to resolve its leadership tussle until Feb. 28.

    Tunde Popoola, the Secretary-General of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that the NOC had been able to secure an extension from Nov. 30.

    FIBA had in July asked the NOC to resolve the NBBF crisis which began after parallel elections in Abuja and Kano which produced Musa Kida and Tijjani Umar as presidents.

    However, after reconciliation efforts between then and November, Kida has been insisting on holding on to his mandate, while the immediate-past president Umar says a fresh election is acceptable to him.

    TNG also reports that this had led the NOC to write to FIBA to seek an extension of the deadline.

    “As of now a decision was taken actually, which will be made available to the press very shortly.

    “But I think the issue is that we have moved the whole thing to Feb. 28,” Popoola said.

    He also revealed that FIBA officials were expected to arrive in the country shortly, though there was no fixed date yet for their arrival.

    “FIBA officials will come here between now and Feb. 28 and together we will look at the issue before taking a final decision on Feb. 28.

    “However, the whole issue is not about FIBA. What we are saying, and our emphasis, is that after now nothing like this must happen in basketball again.

    “It’s been a long run-out of events since the crisis began. So, we want to resolve this issue once and for all. That’s it,’’ the NOC official said.

  • FIBA championship: Buhari felicitates with D’Tigress, to receive them in Abuja before FEC Meeting

    President Mohammadu Buhari will on Wednesday, before the Federal Executive Council (FEC), receive the victorious D’Tigress, the Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung hinted on Tuesday.

    Dalung, who alongside top members of the sport ministry hosted the new African queens on Tuesday, dropped the hint that the president will meet with the Afrobasket winners before attending the weekly FEC meeting.

    DTigress won all their matches at the competition and also qualified for the World Cup in Spain next year.

    The Minister of sport Dalung attributed the recent successes recorded in basketball and wrestling to the ongoing sports reforms by the ministry.

    The Minister commended the players and wrestlers for truly exemplifying the true Nigerian spirit which always thrives in the face of adversity.

    Dalung praised the team for making Nigeria proud adding that their victory was not by chance but as a result of well- articulated programs by the NBBF and NWF boards.

    “We congratulate DTigress, the technical crew and the entire management of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) for winning the 2017 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket trophy.

    “You not only broke a 12 year old draught, but also won a ticket to the World Cup next year. This cannot be ascribed to luck, but weeks of hard work, planning and strategising by the board, technical crew and the players. We also applaud the wrestlers for winning silver at the World championship.

    “We are aware of the fact that the road to becoming the African Champions and booking a ticket to the World Cup was never easy. The federal government salutes these brave girls who have written Nigeria’s name on the global map once again after 12 years.”

     

  • Dogara applauds D’Tigress for FIBA AfroBasket victory, qualifying for World Cup Tournament

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has hailed the national female basketball team, D’Tigress, on their victory over Senegal in the 2017 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Mali and for qualifying for the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain.

    The Speaker praised the doggedness of the team, for putting up an excellent performance in the final of the 2017 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament last Sunday.

    He noted that their victory portrays the spirit of determination of Nigerians, who are known to make outstanding successes, even in the midst of daunting challenges.

    “I salute members of the glorious team and urge them to hold on to this winning spirit. We are aware that our sports men and women are faced with enormous challenges but wish to assure that the House of Representatives will not relent in its effort to improve the welfare and working conditions of our sportsmen.

    “We, as a parliament, will support you in all ways we can as you prepare for the forthcoming FIBA World Cup,” he stated.