With 50 days to the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup, NBBF have sacked the head coach of the senior women’s national team, D’Tigress, Sam Vincent.
This was contained in a letter signed by Musa Kida-led NBBF to the former NBA star on Thursday.
The letter read: “Following investigations, the 2017 Afrobasket winning coach was found guilty of abandoning the team due to other conflicting professional engagements within the United States of America where the team is currently camped.”
“The NBBF cited unprofessionalism, absence without permission and unsatisfactory performance at the ongoing training camp in the USA as reasons for the termination of his contract.
“The NBBF has been monitoring the goings in Atlanta closely and we are not satisfied with a lot of things, and some due to your engagement with us as Coach.”
Vincent was the coach incharge of all the three Afrobasket titles won by the D’Tigress in 2003, 2005 and 2017.
In view of the importance of giving the team the best of preparation for the World Cup as to make a mark in Spain, the NBBF decided it needed a coach who will spend more time in camp preparing the team.
“Be informed that you are hereby relieved of your appointment as our National Women’s Coach, to allow you concentrate better on your other activities,” the letter stated.
NBBF however thanked Sam Vincent for qualifying the team for the World Cup by winning the 2017 Afrobasket Championship in Atlanta and wished him all the best in his future endeavors.
The NBBF also promised to compensate him for the services rendered while with the team.
In the meantime, D’Tigress assistant coach, Peter Ahmedu will take charge of team’s preparation for the World Cup to be assisted by Sola Shomala until a new coach is appointed.
Coach Vincent is yet comment on his contract termination.
Meanwhile, D’Tigress captain, Aisha Mohammed has been told to step aside for engaging herself in a heated argument with a junior player.
Mohammed has been a long-serving member of the team winning three Afrobasket titles.
Nigeria will play against Australia, Argentina and Turkey in Group D of the FIBA Women’s World Cup from September 22-30.
