Nigeria senior men’s 3×3 national basketball team has been handeda tough draw in their race to reach the 2019 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.
The 3×3 D’Tigers who are currently ranked 76th in the world and10th in Africa, failed to secure an automatic qualification and as a result of that, they were grouped alongside France, Germany and Italy in the qualification Group A for a place in the 2019 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.
The African Champions will face the 3×3 superpowers in San Juan, Puerto Rico between May 4 and 5 and will be hoping to performwell against world number 25 Germany and Italy, who are ranked 17th in the world and FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2016 bronze medalistsFrance.
Meanwhile Team captain of the 3×3 D’Tigers and Rivers Hoopers new recruit, Abdul Yahaya, believes the team has what it takes to qualify for the World if they do many things this time around.
“We learnt vital lessons during the 2018 edition in the Philippines and we hope to bring that to bear when we get to San Juan.
“Although, it is not going to be an easy task, we are not going to just fold our arms and let Germany, Italy or France have an easy ride over us,” Yahaya said in a statement signed by Afolabi Oni, Media Officer of the Nigeria Basketball Federation.
Group A and B winners automatically qualify for the semi-finals while the second-placed and third-placed teams will play in the quarter-finals to determine the other two semi-finalists.
Winners of the semi-finals will qualify for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2019 holding in Amsterdam, The Netherlands between June 18 and 23
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