D’Tigers Hit France For Pre-Nations Cup Tourney

The Nigerian national men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have departed for France to take part in an invitational tournament billed to hold between July 22 and 27, Sportsyan can report.
The team, according to officials of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, departed via Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday and will use the invitational tournament to prepare for the FIBA-African Championship scheduled to hold in Tunisia between 19 August and 30 August.
Completesportsnigeria.com was also informed that the team will be handled by the newly contracted American coach William Voigt, who has been mandated by the Nigeria Basketball Federation to win the African Championship.
Players on the trip include NBA stars Al Farouq Aminu and Ekpe Udoh who will be making his first appearance for Nigeria at the invitational tournament in France.
Alfarouq’s older brother Alade, Ike Diogu, Benjamin Uzoh, Stanley Okoye, Andy Ogide, Jamal Olasewere, Stanley Gumut , Deji Akindele, Micheal Umeh, Eric Oluwaseun, Obekpa Chris and Ofoegbu Ikechukwu with the likes of Edo Karachi, Akinlolu Akingbala, Ebie Jason, Elonu Chinemelu, Gbinije Micheal, Olaseni Lawal and Talib Zanna are also in the squad.
Also making a return to the team are Chamberlain Oguchi and Derrick Obasohan who were part of the London 2012 Olympics.
Meanwhile, the team will remain in France after the tournament to prepare for the Nations Cup and from there move to Tunisia on August 15 for the tournament proper.