Nigeria national team

[CKR13]

Olympics: Coach Bakare Sure Of Qualification

Head coach of Nigeria’s male senior national team Ayo Bakare is confident that Nigeria will survive the Olympic Qualification Tournament slated for July 2-8 in Caracas, Venezuela.

Speaking at the close of the 3-Day first phase camping at the national stadium, surulere, Lagos at the weekend, Coach Bakare’s optimism stems from how the 14 home-based players called to the 3-Day camping exercise responded to training with a positive mind-set.

The coach who qualified Nigeria for her maiden FIBA World Championship outing in 1998 is on the threshold of making another history as Nigeria chases her first outing in the male basketball event of the Olympic Games.

Coach Bakare took over the reign of the national team with few days left to the 26th Afrobasket in 2011 in Madagascar and earned an Olympic qualification slot with a third place finish at the Africa basketball show-piece after two dismal outings in 2007 (Angola) and 2009 (Libya).

The Nigeria national team tactician applauded the coming of DStv (SuperSport) into the Nigeria league, saying that the partnership has yielded positive result.

“If funds permit us to run our programme at full cause I have no doubt that Nigeria will be among the 12 finalists at the Basketball Event of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“I must praise the home-based players for responding to training positively and the full cooperation of the coaching crew, which is made of: me (Bakare) Sani Ahmed and Ayinla Johnson.

“I can beat my chest and say confidently that Nigeria will rule the Africa scene from the next Afrobasket whether I’m in charge, I say this because of the goals laid down which will make iteasy for any coach to follow and improve on.

“The coming of DStv/SuperSport (MultiChoice) into the Nigeria basketball scene has really changed the face of Nigerian basketball and I can confidently say that home-based players can form the bulk of our national team with proper planning and exposure which must include foreign training tours.

“With what we the coaches have seen in the last three days of practice I can say between eight and six of the home-based players will make the final preparation for the Olympic Qualification Tournament with at least four of them making it to Venezuela.’’

-PM News Nigeria

[CKR13]

Nigeria pulled out from the Four Nations Cup to be held in Tunisia that features Tunisia, Ivory Coast and Angloa national teams. Instead, Nigeria's national squad will travel to China to play exhibition games on select Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) teams and China's National Team.

[CKR13]

D ‘Tigers Tour China, Play GB In USA

In order to ensure that the Senior National Basketball team of Nigeria, D’ Tigers, perform well at the Olympics play-off tournament in Venezuela in July, President of Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF Tijani Umar said plans are in top gear for the team to go on training tour of China and play Great Britain in United States invitational tournament.

Speaking to P.M.Sports exclusively at the Package B Complex of the Abuja National Stadium, Umar said that the Federation will not relent in its efforts to ensure that Nigeria has a good representation at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Venezuela, adding that the D’Tigers will embark on a training tour of China by the end of May.

Umar also informed that the Ayo Bakare-coached team will play against top rated teams during their stay in the basketball-playing Asian country.

“We want D’Tigers to qualify for the Olympics; for this reason, we are preparing them for the play-off tournament in Venezuela where 12 best teams that did not qualify automatically for the Games will test their might for the 2012 Olypmics ticket and only three teams will qualify.

So, D’ Tigers will embark on a training tour in China where the team will play some friendly games against some top teams in the country.” Umar said.

He also informed that the D’ Tigers will leave China for United States where they will play the hosts of 2012 Olympics, Great Britain, and Russia, who are also seeking Olympic tickets in Venezuela, in friendly games.

“After playing some teams in China, the team will continue their training tour in United States where D’Tigers will slug it out with Great Britain in a friendly game. The team will also play Russia in a friendly game in United States. The Federation is looking forward to these games because Britain have qualified for the Olympics as hosts, and Russia are also contesting for the Olympics ticket at the play-off tournament in Venezuela,” Umar stated.

The D’ Tigers began their preparation for the Olympic Qualifying tournament on Thursday with camping of 14 local players at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

-PM News Nigeria

[CKR13]

Head coach Ayo Bakare stated that from the fourteen players called up initially, four will be included for the final lineup.

[Mojado]

Head coach Ayo Bakare stated that from the fourteen players called up initially, four will be included for the final lineup.

If he stands by his word, Nigeria will be out with three losses.

[Mojado]

Al Farouq Aminu gets his Nigerian passport now...so he should be considered "naturalized" since he applied for it just recently.
The question is: Does Ike Diogu will be considered "naturalized" as well?

Players in the extended roster:

Michael Umeh
Champs Oguchi
Michael Eric
Al Farouq Aminu
Alade Aminu
Ike Diogu
Olumide Oyedeji
Ejike Ugboaja
Derrick Obasohan
Victor Oladipo
Jeff Varem

Not being on board:
Ben Uzoh
Solomon Alabi
Jaleel Akindele
Festus Ezeli
Ime Udoka

[PRSURF]

Al Farouq Aminu gets his Nigerian passport now...so he should be considered "naturalized" since he applied for it just recently.
The question is: Does Ike Diogu will be considered "naturalized" as well?

Players in the extended roster:

Michael Umeh
Champs Oguchi
Michael Eric
Al Farouq Aminu
Alade Aminu
Ike Diogu
Olumide Oyedeji
Ejike Ugboaja
Derrick Obasohan
Victor Oladipo
Jeff Varem

Not being on board:
Ben Uzoh
Solomon Alabi
Jaleel Akindele
Festus Ezeli
Ime Udoka

Thats a great team...

[thespywhozaggedme]

Called it on Aminu on page three. Uzoh had a triple double and Alabi had 19 rebounds with the Raptors on the final day of the season. Why aren't they on the final roster? Imagine if Nigeria had a lineup of something like this:

PG: Uzoh
SG: Udoka
SF: Aminu
PF: Diogu
C: Alabi or Ezili

That would far and away be the best African starting lineup ever.

[Mojado]

Udoka, because probably of his sister since she clashed with the current men's head coach last year. The rest? Wrong agent.

Called it on Aminu on page three. Uzoh had a triple double and Alabi had 19 rebounds with the Raptors on the final day of the season. Why aren't they on the final roster? Imagine if Nigeria had a lineup of something like this:

PG: Uzoh
SG: Udoka
SF: Aminu
PF: Diogu
C: Alabi or Ezili

That would far and away be the best African starting lineup ever.

[Chuck Diesel]

I'm wondering if Epke Udoh has ever been contacted or made statements recently about playing for Nigeria. He'd certainly help the defensive frontline. Too bad about Udoka and the rest of those guys. I'd really like to see this team come out with a fully stocked roster 1-12.

[thespywhozaggedme]

Udoka, because probably of his sister since she clashed with the current men's head coach last year. The rest? Wrong agent.

Why would the need the "right" agent to play for a national team? It's incumbent upon Nigerian Basketball to field the best players and those guys that I mentioned are.

[Mojado]

Why would the need the "right" agent to play for a national team? It's incumbent upon Nigerian Basketball to field the best players and those guys that I mentioned are.

Maybe their agent tells them not to play?^^ Why werent they part of the NT in Madagascar last year?

[Mojado]

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/05/14/...olympic-games/

Five home-based players will be part of the pre-select in China.
Even though Bakare stated before, that as many as four will be part of the final roster, I expect maybe 1-2 players based out of Nigeria will travel to Venezuela.

[Rotela]

Mojado i'm very impressed with how you get your information. I'm a keen follower of Nigerian basketball, and I'm really hoping that we can get the best of the Nigerian-born players out there, I have even made a list of all Nigerian born players in the US hoping that someone will see it and scout them for our NT....Please keep your information coming....

[Mojado]

http://globegazette.com/sports/isu-s...a4bcf887a.html

Ejim is the only player out of college to compete for a spot. The national-team is still in Nigeria and not in China due to logistical problems.

[sixama23]

http://globegazette.com/sports/isu-s...a4bcf887a.html

Ejim is the only player out of college to compete for a spot. The national-team is still in Nigeria and not in China due to logistical problems.

Are Uzoh and Alabi with the NT at the moment? I thought that they weren't included in the preliminary roster...

Mojado, do you know who are the rest 14 (except Ejim) players of the roster?

[Mojado]

Are Uzoh and Alabi with the NT at the moment? I thought that they weren't included in the preliminary roster...

Mojado, do you know who are the rest 14 (except Ejim) players of the roster?

Do you really think the author knows who will be part of the team? Lets just wait and see if Uzoh and Alabi will be down for D'Tigers.

Dont know the final 14 but there should be three Nigeria-based players now with them.

[CKR13]

A good read on Melvin Ejim.

Home court advantage: Ejim seeks Olympic opportunity in Nigeria

[Rotela]

This is the list that is floating around but it's yet to be confirmed....If its confired then I beleive Nigeria will be one of the strongest team on paper.

Al-Farouq Aminu - New Orleans Hornets (NBA)
Solomon Alabi - Toronto Raptors (NBA)
Ben Uzoh - Tpornto Raptors (NBA)
Melvin Ejim - Iowa State (NCAA)
Michael Eric - Temple (NCAA)
Noruwa Agho - Columbia (NCAA)
Ekenne Ibekwe - Bayreuth (Germany)
Koko Archibong - LTi 46sers (Germany)
Derrick Obasohan - Cocodrilos (Venezuela)
Olumide Oyedeji - Qingdao (China)
Ike Diogu - Arecibo (Peurto Rico)
Akin Akingbala - Nancy (France)
Richard Oruche - Academica (Portugal)
Tony Skinn - Ironi Ashkelon (Israel)
Ike Ofoegbu - Pioneros (Mexico)
Ezenwa Ukeagu - Sparta (Luxembourg)
Ejike Ugboaja - Jahesh (Iran)
Ade Dagunduro - Leuven (Belgium)
Stanley Gumut - Customs (Nigeria)
Usman Abubakar - Customs (Nigeria)
Mike Ohiero - Royal Hoopers (Nigeria)

[sixama23]

This is the list that is floating around but it's yet to be confirmed....If its confired then I beleive Nigeria will be one of the strongest team on paper.

NBBF invites Aminu, Diogu, Alabi for Olympic qualifier

Top NBA stars Al Farouk Aminu, Ike Diogu and Solomon Alabi are among the 21 players picked by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to represent the country at the 2012 FIBA World Olympic qualifying tournament to be held in Venezuela next month.
The 2012 FIBA World Olympic qualifying tournament will hold in Venezuela from the July 2 to 8, 2012.

The top three teams from the tournament automatically qualified for the 2012 Olympics and the technical crew of D’Tigers believes the team has what it takes to make it to London.

For the preliminary stages, Nigeria is drawn in the same group as Lithuania and the host country, Venezuela. Two countries will emerge from the group and face one of either Greece or Puerto Rico in the next round.

NBBF President, Mallam Tijani Umar, at a media briefing in Abuja yesterday assured that the national men’s basketball team will qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

According to him, the current team being assembled was the best ever the country could produce.

“We can assure you that the team we have in place and the programme we are putting together for the team will ensure that we perform well at Venezuela and gain qualification for the Olympics”, Umar stated.

He said the technical crew was working hard to ensure that the country qualifies for the Olympics.

Head coach of the team, Ayo Bakare said the players were invited based on their availability and current form, expressing optimism that the current crop of players can defeat any team in the world.

The players left both Nigeria and the United States of America last night to resume camping in China from where they will move to Houston in USA before heading to Brazil for a four-nation tournament.

“Tonight, the national team is departing from two locations. Players and officials will depart from Lagos to China while our foreign-based players will leave Los Angeles, USA at the same time for China”, Umar revealed.

Five: Olumide Oyedeji (CBA), Michael Eric (USA), Solomon Alabi (NBA) and Akin Akingbala (FRANCE)

Four: Ike Diogu (NBA), Ejike Ugboaja (IRAN), Ike Ofoegbu (MEXICO), Ezenwa Ukeagu (USA) and Anagonye Aloysius (USA)

Three: Koko Archibong (GERMANY), Al Farouk Aminu (NBA), Melvin Ejim (USA) and Ekene Ibekwe (USA)

Two: Ade Dagunduro (BELGIUM), Stanley Gumut (NIGERIA), Derrick Obasohan (SPAIN) and Richard Oruche (USA)

One: Tony Skinn (Israel), Usman Abubakar (NIGERA), Mike Ohiero (Nigeria) and Noruwa Agho (USA).

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/index.p...ports&Itemid=5

Very strong squad...
Probably the best African squad ever...