NGR - Nigerians salute victorious D’Tigers

LAGOS (FIBA World Championship) - The news of the victory of the Nigeria senior men’s team over world champion, Serbia & Montenegro today in the country first group-A match has been described a welcome development.

Segun Erinle – First vice-president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF said the victory of the nation’s team over the reigning world champion as the best thing to have happened to the country at a time the Japanese Embassy in Nigeria is frustrating the Nigerian basketball officials from joining the team.

He urged the players and their handlers not to relent in their effort since the competition just began.

Col. Bala Saleh – Basketball buff, described the win as very impressive, but said it is saddened the coach Sam Vincent drop the country former center, Olumide Oyedeji over a little face up with the coach.

The coordinator of One Deevers Basketball project charged the team to go all out in their subsequent matches so as to qualify the country for the knock-out stages.

Col. Sam Ahmedu (rtd) – Coordinator of the Dodan Warriors Basketball project and member of the NBBF thumb-up the team for winning their opening game, he said, the win over the championship defending champion would serve as morale boosting to the team but urged them to exercise restraint by not allowing the victory to get into their head.

Rafiu Ladipo – President-General of the Nigerian Football and Other Sports Supporters club salutes D’Tigers for this victory.

He said the entire country is proud and solidly behind the team in their quest to do well in the championship.

Ladipo described the win over Serbia as the best thing to happen to Nigeria at the moment.

By Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA Correspondent in Nigeria