NGR - Aminu brothers, Diogu lead the charge

LAGOS (AfroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Nigeria won't have their full Olympic squad when they run onto the floor at the AfroBasket and attempt to qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The national team still led by Ayo Bakare will boast, however, a dazzling one-two punch of the Aminu brothers, Al-Farouq and Alade.

The duo shone last summer for the Nigerians when they claimed of one of three spots for the London Games at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Venezuela and now both are going to be in Cote d'Ivoire, where the D'Tigers will be chasing one of the three spots on offer for Spain 2014.

Al-Farouq, who spent last season with the New Orleans Hornets in the NBA, has missed most of Nigeria's preparations.

Both Aminus have been busy tweeting since their return to Nigeria.

"A true feeling of home and being amongst ya ppl," Alade (@Aminu_34) said.

Arguably the most important player of all is back with the squad in Ike Diogu, Nigeria's top man at the OQT.

The team has also gotten an injection of quality with Gani Lawal, who had a breakout season in Italy's top flight with Roma.

Nigeria finished third at AfroBasket 2011.

They played at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan but failed to clinch a place in the 2010 event.

To reach the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Nigeria will need a top three finish at the Afrobasket in Cote d'Ivoire.

Nigeria squad for AfroBasket 2013: Ben Uzoh, Richard Oruche, Chamberlain Oguchi, Jamal Olasewere, Stan Okoye, Al-Farouq Aminu, Stanley Gumut, Ike Diogu, Gani Lawal, Alade Aminu, Andy Ogide and Olumide Oyedeji.

FIBA