Afrobasketball: ‘D’Tigers Now Unstoppable’

With Central African Republic, CAR, out of their way, assistant captain of Nigeria’s senior national male basketball team, D’ Tigers, Ike Diogu, has boasted that nothing will stop the team from winning the ultimate prize at the ongoing 2013 African Basketball Championships in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

The Leones de Ponce of Puerto Rico Power forward /center declared after the D’ Tigers decimated CAR by 112 – 75 points last night and are set for a quarter final match against Senegal tonight. Diogu said that they are ready for nothing but victory against the Senegalese.

Still smarting from the victory over CAR, 29-years old Diogu boasted that there is no going back as they would leave nothing to chance to ensure that they record an emphatic victory over their fellow West Africans.

The former Los Angeles Clippers point guard stated further that the spirit in camp going into tonight’s clash is high and they are raring to go and make Nigeria proud by booking a place in the semi-final.

According to the former San Antonio Spurs import, “after out dunking the Central African Republic, we now have our eyes set on tonight’s game. We have also resolved to play as a unit so we can win and book our place in the semis.”

Despite prosecuting the game against CAR with a depleted team, Diogu, a former Sacramento Kings player admitted that tonight’s tie would be a tough duel. “Injuries are part of the game. We played against CAR with a half strength team, we would be heading into the game against Senegal with a winning mentality,” he said.

Meanwhile, veteran basketball coach, Alabi Adelanwa has handed a stern warning to the coach Ayo Bakare-led team not to underrate Senegal at their peril.

Adelanwa, who once handled the team, said that they should not allow their previous victories get into their heads because the Senegalese would want to prove a point by defeating them.

While commenting on the performance of the Nigerian side at the tournament so far, he had good words for them saying, “I’m impressed with the performance of our team, more importantly the head coach for managing a depleted team to this stage of the championship. My advice for them is to continue to play aggressively both in the defence and attack because the Senegalese are renowned for their sleaky play.”

D’Tigers Tuesday, outshined Central African Republic to book a quarter-final place, their opponent, Senegal are five-time champions.

All the quarter-final games will be played today with Angola facing Morocco, followed by Egypt squaring up against Cape Verde. Cote d’Ivoire will tackle Cameroon. The Nigeria vs Senegal match will be the last by 9p.m. Nigerian time

—Adebobola Alawode & Bamidele Olowsagba