Nigeria Customs coach, Scott Nnaji considers DR Congo as the only strong opposition Nigeria will play against at the 2017 Afrobasket.
Nigeria’s D’Tigers have been drawn in group A alongside Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and DR Congo with the games scheduled for 8-16 September. The 2017 Afrobasket tournament will be jointly hosted by Tunisia and Senegal.
Nnaji who spoke to ACLSports.com said that early preparation is what the D’Tigers need to succeed at the biennial Championship.
“We have a chance but that’s if we prepare and if we don’t, then we will have problem,” said Nnaji.
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“We can take on Mali any time, Cote d’Ivoire I don’t think they are that organize but DR Congo, they are a bit difficult. If we prepare well and put the team together early enough then we will be able to get to the next round.” he said.
Nnaji who coached the female national team, D’Tigress at the 2015 Afrobasket for women in Cameroon, faulted government’s interference in last month’s federation elections.
“We can’t keep waiting on the minister to do a campaign kind of elections because all federations are supposed to be on their own, Nnaji decried.
“Sports ministry should come in for international matches and help the teams that have qualified. If you are there and cannot help your local league or team preparation towards a continental championship then you don’t have any business been there. Government should not dictate everything we are doing they ought to stay out of sports.”
