NBBF Name Nwora As D’Tiger Coach

FIBA AfroBasket reigning champions
Nigeria have appointed Alex Nwora as
head coach, the country’s Basketball
Federation (NBBF) announced on
Wednesday.



Nwora replaces Will Voigt, who led Nigeria
to their first-ever continental title two
years ago in
Tunisia.



Nigeria are expected to begin
preparations to defend the African title on
Friday, August 12th.



According to newly elected NBBF
president Musa Kida, the decision to
appoint Nwora who guided Cape Verde at
the FIBA AfroBasket 2013 where they
defeated D’Tigers 79-76 was borne out of
the desire to give qualified Nigerians the
opportunity of making history with the
national teams.



“We started this project with the D’Tigress
(Nigeria women’s national team), with the
appointment of Sam Vincent, [former
Nigerian international] Mfon Udoka, Peter
Ahmedu and
Okworogun Ochuko.



“There is no point of giving out national
team jobs to expatriates when we have
Nigerians all over the world who are duly
qualified to get the job done,” Kida told
Fiba.basketball.




He enjoined all Nigerians to support
Nwora who is no stranger to the African
basketball scene where he coached Cape
Verde from 2009 to 2013.



Nwora will be assisted by Kwara Falcons
head coach Aderemi Adewunmi and
Gombe Bulls’
Abdulrahman Mohammed who have both
guided their teams to the top of the
[Nigeria] Atlantic
and Savannah Conferences of the
domestic basketball league.



It is expected that the provisional team
would be announced in due course as the
players are expected to open camp in a
few days’ time.



Nigeria are drawn in Group A, which
includes DR Congo, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire.
Reacting to his appointment, Nwora told
FIBA.basketball that he is excited Nigeria
have
trusted him.



“I am not new to African basketball having
worked with Cape Verde. Nigeria’s talent
pool is enormous and I will do my best
with my assistants to give a good account.


As defending
champions, the task is even more difficult
because every team will come prepared to
dethrone you.”