Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, has qualified for the semi-finals of the ongoing 11th African Games in Brazzaville, Congo.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the team defeated Cote d’ Ivoire 60-51 in their group game to book a place against Egypt in the semi-finals.
NAN reports that D’Tigers won all its group matches to top the group.
The team won the gold medal in the 10th edition of the Games in 2011 in Maputo, Mozambique.
Ahmed Sanni, D’Tigers Coach, told NAN after their match that winning the gold was the ultimate.
The team captain, Olumide Oyedeji, told NAN after the match that the players were conscious of what was at stake before the match.
Oyedeji said: “We know what is at stake.
“Nigeria is a team all teams want to beat in the competition to create upset, been the current African champion.
“We are mindful of that and are cautious in our approach to the game against the Ivorians.
“We are all here to win the title.
“Anything short of that might be a disappointment.
“But I am sure that we are capable of achieving that aim.
“It is a big task.
“However, we are ready to accomplish it.”
Meanwhile, D’Tigress, the national female team, is poised to top their group at the event, after winning their first two matches.
They defeated Mali 70-69 in their opening game and beat Mozambique 78-62 in their second match.
D’Tigress Coach, Scott Nnaji, assisted by Adewunmi Aderemi, told NAN that the team’s aim was to win the gold medal.
Nnaji, however, said the players must improve on their offensive and defend well in their subsequent games.
He said: “It is getting tougher now and I have spoken to the players to improve their game by playing to instructions.
“They have all done well, but we need to play as a unit to be sure of winning gold.”
The semi-finals matches will take place on Wednesday.
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