Organizers of the first window of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Qualifying tournament have rescheduled D’Tigers’ opening match against Libya due to Nigeria’s late confirmation for participation in the qualifiers.
Originally scheduled for Friday, February 23rd at 8 am, the D’Tigers’ match has been postponed to 8 pm to accommodate the team’s delayed arrival. This adjustment grants the Nigerian players and coaches a 12-hour grace period, hopefully allowing them ample time to get used to themselves.
Also read: UPDATE: D’Tigers to travel for FIBA Afrobasket qualifiers as sports ministry wades in
Initially withdrawn from the competition due to lack of funds, the Nigerian Basketball Federation reversed its decision after intervention from the country’s sports ministry, spearheaded by Minister John Owan Enoh. The ministry assured reimbursement of expenses incurred by the team within three weeks.
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Following a request from the NBBF, FIBA approved rescheduling the match to a later time.
D’Tigers’ roster for the tournament will feature a mix of domestic and international players, with none from the 2020 Olympics team present.
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Libya will pose a formidable challenge for the D’Tigers in the game. The North African nation notably reached the final of the 2023 Arab Basketball Championship, albeit losing to Egypt. Along the way, Libya secured victories against nations like Mauritania, Algeria, Somalia, Kuwait, and Tunisia.
Ahead of the qualifiers, the Libyan team held a training session at the venue, overseen by coaches Abu Shqra, Nabil Qbalan, and Ahmed Al-Ojly.
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