29th July, 2013
After they recorded a victory against Venezuela in a friendly on Friday, the Nigeria national men’s team, D’Tigers will today continue their preparation for the 2013 Afrobasketball with their second friendly against the South American nation in Orlando, Florida.
The coach Ayo Bakare-led team who arrived the US last week for a three weeks camping ahead of the 2013 Afrobasket holding from 20-31 August in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, in their first warm up match on Friday defeated Venezuela by 76-67.
Ben Uzoh and NEC Player of the Year, Jamal Olasewere shown like a billion star in their first competitive outing for the D’Tigers.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, had endorsed a three games series of friendlies between D’Tigers and the Venezuelan national team who are preparing for the FIBA Americas Championship in different locations in the US.
The last of the games is expected to take place on Wednesday in Miami, Florida.
According to a board member of the NBBF, Patrick Omorodion, the Nigerian team, who aiming to win the Afrobasket for the first time will play additional preparatory games before they depart for Abidjan second week of August.
Meanwhile, a four day screening exercise to select players that would participate at this year’s Basketball Without Borders, BWB, in South Africa will come to an end today at the basketball court of Package-B of the National Stadium, Abuja.
President of the NBBF, Tijjani Umar and a board member, Igoche Mark were at the screening exercise on Friday.
The screening exercise is being conducted by coaches Emmanuel Odah, Mike Akuboh, Fubara Onyeanabo, Sani Turi and NBBF grassroots coach, Alex Uwajeh.
Over 30 young play across the country are featuring at the screening exercise.