Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, are expected back in the country today after competing at the 31st edition of the FIBA AfroBasket tournament in Angola.
The team, led by coach Mohammed Abdulrahman, exited the competition last Wednesday following a 91-75 quarter-final loss to Senegal, despite earlier topping Group B with victories over Madagascar, Tunisia, and Cameroon.
Reports indicate that some senior players had asked the Nigeria Basketball Federation to adjust their return tickets after the early exit, but the federation declined, leaving the team in Angola until their scheduled today departure.
A few players, including NBA guard Josh Okogie, opted to fund their own travel back to their bases.
With AfroBasket over, D’Tigers will now focus on the FIBA Men’s World Cup Qualifiers beginning in November, as they seek a return to the global stage in 2027 after missing the 2023 edition.