Gombe Bulls basketball coach, Samson John, has emphasized the necessity for Nigeria’s national team, D’Tigers, to commence preparations promptly for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Championship in Angola.
Following Nigeria’s qualification, achieved by defeating Uganda and Cape Verde and hosting Libya in the recent qualification tournament, John remarked, “We’ve already qualified, and now what next? Everything in Nigeria is not on time. It’s always late and sharp-sharp. But, this is a major competition, and everyone in the federation should think about how to make early preparations.”
He stressed that to surpass their performance in the 2021 edition and recapture the excellence that led to their 2015 championship, early planning by the Nigeria Basketball Federation is crucial. The 2025 AfroBasket Championship is slated for August 12 to 24 in Angola’s cities of Luanda, Benguela, and Namibe.
D’Tigers concluded their qualification campaign on a high note, securing a 77-62 victory over Cape Verde, resulting in an unblemished record in the second qualifying window. This turnaround is notable, considering their earlier setbacks in the first phase of qualifiers last year. Caleb Agada played a pivotal role, notably scoring 20 points against Uganda and recording a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the critical win over Libya.
Historically, Nigeria’s men’s basketball team has been a consistent presence in AfroBasket, participating in the last ten editions and earning one gold, four silver, and three bronze medals. The upcoming tournament offers an opportunity to add to this impressive record.
