Major to coach D’Tigers in World Cup qualifiers in Kigali

As the head coach of the Nigerian national basketball team that will be competing in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, American tactician, Alan Major, who previously led Rwandan team, Patriots Basketball Club, in the Basketball Africa League’s (BAL) first season in 2021, is making a return to coaching on the continent.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) on Tuesday, unveiled a 12-player roster for the championship, which will be held in Kigali from July 1–3. Alan Major will serve as the team’s head coach, with Ogoh Odaudu in an assistant capacity.

Ben Emelogu (Rouen Metropolitan, France), Michael Oriakhi (Rivers Hoopers), Ikenna Ndugba (Greensboro Swarm, NBA G League), Uchenna Iroegbu, Michael Okiki (Gombe Bulls), Michael Gbinijie (Santa Cruz Warriors, NBA G League), and Ibe Agu (Customs, Abuja) make up the D’Tigers team.

Others were Emmanuel Omogbo, Victor Koko, Chimezie Metu, Christian Mekowolu, and TK Edogi and they will ensure that Nigeria, currently the top-ranked African team, will put up a commendable campaign from Friday, 1 July against Cape Verde before playing Mali on Saturday. The final match will take place on Sunday, July 3 at the BK arena versus Uganda. Nigeria has five points after three games, which puts it atop group A.

In all, 16 teams will compete during this window for the second leg of matches that were previously contested in November 2021 and March 2022. Each team will play six games, with the top three teams from each group moving on. Each group’s top two teams and the best third-place team will advance to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.