FIBA Afrobasket: D’Tigers hit camp today

Coach of Nigeria’s D’Tigers, Mike Brown has arrived in Kigali, Rwanda ahead of the AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers.

The competition is billed for November 27 to 29.

Coach Brown who touched down on Saturday night was accompanied by one of his assistants, Kuester John a former Detroit Pistons coach. As a player he spent three seasons in the NBA from 1977 to 1980 and then coached in the college ranks before moving on to the NBA side-lines as an assistant.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation vice president, Babs Ogunade left Lagos for Kigali on Friday ahead of the team. He is the leader of the delegation. Former national team point guard Musa Adamu who serves as the General Manager of the Nigeria team confirmed the arrival of the coaches and stated that the players are expected in Kigali from today (Monday).

Ogunade who spoke from Kigali on Sunday said all the players would assemble in Kigali directly from their bases: "Mike Brown and one of his assistant are here and the players will be coming in on schedule to prepare.”

Col. Sam Ahmedu (retd) and referee Kingsley Ojeaburu who to serve as officials arrived yesterday. Both men are among the three Nigerians appointed by the World basketball ruling body FIBA for the November Window.

This second Window will see 12 teams from Groups A, B and D in action at the Kigali Arena. D’Tigers will compete in Group D against host Rwanda, Mali and South Sudan which has taken the place of Algeria who withdrew owing to fear of COVID-19.