Afrobasket Championship: NBBF releases names of 12-man squad to defend FIBA Men’s Title

Photo Credit: Twitter- @NigeriaBasket

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has released the squad for the D’Tigers’ defence of their FIBA Men’s title in Tunisia just a week after the female team, D’Tigress won the female edition in Mali.

Chimezie Asiegbu, the NBBF Secretary-General, said on Tuesday in Abuja that the 12-man team is in high spirits.

The team which is expected to defend the nation’s glory at the 2017 Men’s AfroBasket, is made up of eight foreign-based and four home-based players.

“They have been in camp and are expected to work together in the interest of the nation,’’ he said.

The players are Dike Azouma, Akinlolu Akingbala, Etim Akakume, Olivier Anuna, Ayodeji Akindele, Diogu Ike, Ikenna Ireogbu, Bryant Mbamalu, Ikechukwu Nwamu, Ochefu Daniel, Abayomi Odunsi and Yahaya Abdul.

OFFICIAL: 2017 @FIBA AFROBASKET ROSTER ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/2CmYNhSVzG

— Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) September 5, 2017

The team departed for Tunisia today ahead of the competition’s opening match on Friday.

D’Tigers are en route to Tunisia. #DefendOurTitle pic.twitter.com/kkg5xdaock

— Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) September 6, 2017

The female team, on Sunday, defeated defending champions, Senegal 65-48 to clinch the title for the third time after 12 years. The team went undefeated in all their games to the final in the tournament.

With the victory, D’Tigress has qualified for the 2018 Women FIBA Championship in Spain.