Leadership crisis will not affect Nigeria’s performance, says NBBF

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) says it has put structures in place to ensure that the leadership crisis affecting the federation does not rub off negatively on the players invited for the 2018 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

The African qualifiers for the World Cup begin in Bamako, Mali on February 23. 

NBBF board member, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (rtd) said at the weekend that the federation has concluded arrangements for the foreign-based players and their domestic counterparts to have a well-organised training camp ahead of the championship, adding that a number of players, who did not participate in last year’s FIBA Afrobasketball Championship, will take part in the qualifiers. 

He explained that the foreign-based players were required to fly direct to Mali to join the team, while assuring that the board would give the team the required support to excel in Bamako. 

“The D’Tigers are focused to excel at the World Cup qualifiers in Mali. We are happy that some players who did not take part in the Afrobasketball Championship last year due to one reason or the other are back in the team.

“The players are not distracted by any issue. Getting the world cup ticket is their target and the board has finished putting plans in place to ensure they blend well before the championship commences.

“All logistics for the D’Tigers to make Nigeria proud in the championship have been mapped out,” he said.  

The D’Tigers earned the right to feature in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers after winning the silver medal at the Afrobasketball Championship last year. The gold medal would have given them automatic ticket to the World Cup.