Nigeria has stepped up its preparation ahead the 26th edition of the FIBA Africa Basketball Championship for Men in Madagascar this year. The Nigerian team Monday night defeated Netherlands 84-66 points in London in a 3-Nation invitational tournament.
The Nigeria senior national team known as D’Tigers and coached by John Lucas won the first three quarters by 21-10, 21-14, 21-19 but lost the fourth quarter 21-23 points. They are set for a last day clash against host England.
Three Nigeria players were impressive during the encounter scoring double digits each. Derrick Obasohan led the floor with 30 points, Ime Udoka contributed 18 points while Olumide Oyedeji added 13 points to give Nigeria a deserved victory.
President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Tijjani Umar who is in AS Cobhan, London venue of the Invitational said the team is ready to do the nation proud at the Basketball version of the African Cup of Nations which also doubles as the London 2012 Olympic Games qualifier.
Umar said the players who resumed their final phase camping exercise last month in Orlando, United States of America are in high spirit and have bonded properly. The team is expected to arrive Lagos, Nigeria tomorrow before departing for Antananarivo, Madagascar on Sunday morning. Nigeria’s first round opponents include host
Madagascar, Mali and Mozambique in group-A.
Nigeria will battle Mali on August 17. And take on Mozambique on August 19 before rounding off its first round game against host Madagascar on August 21 in Antananarivo.
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