D’Tigers will on Wednesday (February 17) resume their quest for the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket Championship title, as they come up against South Sudan in Tunisia.
Having started on an impressive note in Kigali, Rwanda with three straight victories in Group D over South Sudan, Rwanda and Mali, the team will hope to continue its unbeaten run when they file out in Monastir, Tunisia.
In the first ever meeting between both teams, D’Tigers were the better side with Ike Iroegbu leading the offensive with 13pts, 8 assists, 7 rebs and a steal while Caleb Agada scored 16pts and 2 assists.
According to Mfon Udofia, who is standing in for coach Mike Brown and Alex Nwora who are unavoidably absent, the team is ready to pick up from where they left off when they file out against South Sudan by 5pm.
“We know the importance of qualifying for the 2021 Afrobasket championships and qualifying well. We don’t just want to qualify, we want to qualify in style as well as ensure that we are on track for the 2020 Olympic Games preparation.”
The 30 year old who has been with the team since the 2019 FIBA World Cup has assured that the players will step up to the occasion despite the absence of coaches Brown and Nwora.
“The importance of playing well and continuing our winning tradition cannot be overemphasized. Since we opened camp on Sunday, we have been perfecting our game plans while in close touch with our senior coaches who are unavoidably absent.”
D’Tigers narrowly lost to current hosts, Tunisia at the finals of the 2017 edition and will be hoping for emphatic wins in Monastir.
Story by Humphrey Njoku
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