Nigeria reveals shortlist for Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade
ABUJA (Nigeria) - Nigeria is leaving nothing to chance in their quest to progress to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Women's Tournament as they commence preparations for the final qualification event in Belgrade.
D'Tigress head coach Otis Hugley Jr in an effort to realize his target of being at the prestigious Olympics has called up 14 players for the FIBA Women's Olympics Qualifying Tournament that will take place from February 6-9 in the Serbian capital.
Nigeria were drawn in Group A along with fellow African side Mozambique, hosts Serbia and USA even though the latter as defending champions will advance to the Olympics regardless of the results.
Nigeria's preliminary squad for the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2020 |
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| Upe Atosu | Evelyn Akhator | Pallas Kunaiyi Akpannah | Promise Amukamara |
| Aisha Balabare | Elisabeth Balogun | Elo Edeferioka | Adaora Elonu |
| Ifunanya Ibekwe | Sarah Imovbioh | Ezinne Kalu | Victoria Macauley |
| Murjanantu Musa | Atonye Nyingifa | ||
Hughley Jr has maintained the 12-woman roster that featured at the FIBA Women's Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament Africa 2019 in Maputo, Mozambique and added two new names including Murjanantu Musa who inspired Air Warriors of Abuja to their first-ever Nigerian topflight league and was named MVP.
The other inclusion is Louisville University guard Elizabeth Balogun who was not released by her school for the Maputo showpiece but has been handed yet another chance to be part of the team come February.
Kalu is expected to lead Nigeria's qualification charge
FIBA Africa Women's AfroBasket 2019 MVP Ezinne Kalu, captain Adaora Elonu and Evelyn Akhator are expected to lead the team's strength on both ends of the court.
FIBA
